Business View Oceania | December 2019

45 46 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA DECEMBER 2019 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA DECEMBER 2019 CA I RNF I ELD HOUSE REST HOME & HOSP I TAL them. They are just an amazing bunch of people, the elderly. I still have so much passion for this place.” In 1996, Cairnfield House was purchased by a family that had great plans to build a hospital and have very luxurious rooms. The owner set about doing just that – starting in 2000 with 22 new beds and lovely big rooms. In 2005, another 14 beds were added, purpose-built for hospital. Unfortunately, it didn’t actually become a hospital during the 16 years he owned the facility. But that was his goal and his dream. So, when he sold in 2012, the new directors set about making those changes. And they never looked back. By 2015, Cairnfield House had 40 dual-purpose hospital/ rest home beds, as well as the remaining 26 rest home only beds. In 2016, plans were submitted to build a new, fully-equipped, 20-bed hospital wing, with lounge, dining, kitchenette, nurses’ station and medical room. It opened officially in April 2018. Middleton recalls, “It was a mammoth job in order to provide the services to the wing. We had to do a total refurb to the kitchen, the laundry, the main lounge, even the staff room got a bit of a makeover, because we just couldn’t sustain them all without doing that. This is all just starting to finish… we’re coming up to Christmas and feel like we need a rest from renovations. It’s been ongoing for the last three years.” Throughout her career, Middleton has continued to educate and improve herself, and that dedication transfers to her team. When she first started at Cairnfield there was a staff of 30 and a full capacity of 26 residents. Today there are 95 on staff and accommodation for 88 to 89 (depending on double-room capacity, when husbands and wives come to stay.) “When couples are here, they do bring a special something with them,” Middleton quips. “It’s just a fun place to be. Mind you, we do have to work – we work hard and provide excellent service, but at the same time we care for each other. The staff, the residents, and their families. We have a lot of wonderful, supportive families.”