ONE of the Hunter's most prolific and passionate community campaigns delivered the Friends of Wallsend Aged Care Facility the ultimate Christmas present yesterday.
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In unexpected move, Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt announced the Government was ditching plans to privatise the specialist care facility.
It followed an evaluation process which led NSW Health to conclude the proposals for Wallsend, and a similar facility on the South Coast, did not meet all the evaluation criteria necessary for privatisation.
"I am pleased that the evaluation process for the Wallsend tender is now complete and I believe the right conclusion was reached," Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, who broke the news to supporters, said.
"This has been an important issue for residents, carers and staff and we have worked hard to put our views across.
"I think the local community will be very happy with the final outcome."
Friends of Wallsend Aged Care Facility spokeswoman Janet Sutherland said more than 20,000 people had supported the campaign.
"A special thanks is extended to Sonia Hornery who supported us tirelessly throughout this campaign and was demoted for her efforts," she said.
Former NSW premier Nathan Rees dropped Ms Hornery as parliamentary secretary for roads last month, a demotion she speculated was due to her opposition to the privatisation of Cessnock Correctional Centre, the power industry and the Wallsend Aged Care Facility.
Velia McMillan, whose father Rocco lives at the facility, said it should be held up as a model of excellence.
Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay said she was confident the Government's process for assessing the facility would ultimately delivery the best result.
"I trusted the process to do the right thing by the community," she said.
