Travelling along the motorway to and from Albany and Greenhithe you may have noticed recent building activity on the Unsworth Ridgeline. What looks like a new apartment complex is actually Patrick Ferry House, a state-of-the-art aged care hospital and rest home and of more recent development is the luxury Highgrove Retirement Village right next door.

Greenhithe residents Gerrie Ferry and her husband the late Patrick Ferry who the hospital is named after, saw a niche for a boutique retirement village with an on-site hospital catering for the needs of the elderly on the North Shore. The family has over 10 years proven experience in retirement villages. The family built and continues to manage the Oratia-located Greenview Park Village with onsite hospital and rest home Terence Kennedy House. The Ferry family is well equipped to manage this village and hospital to mirror a similar success. Having hands on owner managers, Gerrie and daughter Khim, means there are no compromises when it comes to how residents are cared for and treated by the staff. Gerrie, a Director and a former nurse herself, knows exactly what she wants to achieve in terms of providing the best in aged care and service. Working with close family friend renowned British Architect, Terence Kennedy, has meant that the buildings deliver in terms of aesthetic, style and function exactly what the Ferry Family required to make their North Shore dream a reality.

Patrick Ferry House is a calm, friendly environment filled with loyal, well qualified and well equipped but—most importantly—compassionate staff. Central to all the care that is given is the feeling of respect for the residents regardless of their backgrounds. Each person is treated with dignity and kindness. On the days I visited I found the staff to have a wonderful sense of humour and warm relationships with the residents. Residents have even requested transfers from other hospitals to follow nursing staff who now work for the Ferry Family. A team spirit is evident amongst the staff who are all professional yet easy going. The 24 hour care single occupancy rooms with individual en suites are well designed.

Residents I spoke to who had moved to the Patrick Ferry House from other accommodations all noted without fail how lovely they found their rooms with their own en suite bathrooms. Residents are encouraged to add their own touches to their rooms to make them more personalised. Some residents display a few precious photos. A few keep their most cherished items in their draws like Bert Mitchell who quickly found his war medals to share with me. He also mentioned “apart from his own en-suite and the top notch staff he loved the grub.”

Others have really made their rooms unique.  A resident I met had made her room into an elegant retreat. Her Lladro and Royal Doulton collections were beautifully displayed on the walls and other pieces set out safely in a glass cabinet. Her balcony was a riot of colour, pots filled with masses of flowering plants. “I can’t live without my beautiful things. I have been a collector all my life and it makes me happy to have them with me” said Katherine Spraggs.

Standard features in each room include; central heating, 20” plasma TV and access to the outside via private balconies with wonderful elevated views over the surrounding reserves and Albany Basin or to the sheltered indoor courtyard. Jane, the Activities Co-ordinator introduced me to a couple of residents who save the crumbs from their morning teas to feed the visiting birds from their balconies. Patrick Ferry House communal areas are bright and sunny.

Meals in the dining room are home cooked by Noelene and individual tastes are catered for. Noelene likes to give them good solid wholesome food. On the day I visited lambs fry and bacon with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables followed by a freshly baked upside down apple sponge were on the menu. Noelene says “Friday’s fish and chips followed by fruit salad and ice cream is rated the best by the residents.”

While privacy is respected there is definitely a feeling of community. Organised activities make sure the residents have social interaction. The Activities Co-ordinator reads the daily paper to the residents organises quizzes and games days, and those that are able may be taken for drives to the beach and treated to ice creams. Family and friends are welcomed and encouraged to pop in, there seems to be less formality with visiting fitting in more around the residents rather than fixed hours.

Success is not only measured on how well you think you have done but how good others have perceived you to have been. It takes special people to work in a hospital and resthome. Numerous letters of gratitude and thanks have been written to the staff and to the management team at Patrick Ferry House. I think this letter from a family who experienced the care sums it up very well:

To Janet and ALL the Staff,

Thank you for making my family so welcome. We won't forget your hospitality and kindness toward us.

From a resident's family

Thank you all for being so caring to my beloved Bevan. I am so glad that I picked Patrick Ferry House for his last days, he felt safe and secure there.

Kindest regards,

From Carol Bentley and all my family

Highgrove Retirement Village is sparkling new, fitted out with all the bells and whistles which allow for modern living. The spacious apartments are designed to maximise natural sunlight. Phase 1 with 16 apartments is finished, with 4 of the apartments already sold. Village facilities are already built these include; indoor heated swimming pool and spa, gym, club lounge and bar, outdoor giant chess board and petanque court allowing residents to be active all year around.

The location is perfect; far enough from the motorway and business area to be quiet and peaceful yet close enough to easy access north and south as well as being near to the local community.  Highgrove residents can be seen by our Hospital’s GP and have their medication delivered to their door. Alternatively an Accident and Emergency center with doctor’s rooms, chemist and allied health services are all within walking distance. As a Highgrove Village resident you will have priority admission to Patrick Ferry House, if ever required. Highgrove is also only a few minutes drive away from the local malls and a few minutes more you will find yourself on the North Shore’s lovely beaches. 

For all enquiries regarding Patrick Ferry House and Highgrove Village, please call Sandy on 09 444 6689 or 021 739 437.