HEYWOOD Rural Health’s aged care facility is set for a big makeover after receiving $640,000 in state government funding.

About $550,000 will go towards refurbishing the hostel and nursing home and $90,000 to redeveloping the Surry Hall kitchenette.

The hostel and nursing home refurbishment will include new carpets, a repainting and a major upgrade of residents’ units, including new blinds, vinyl, tapware and cabinetry in the 45-room facility.

The kitchenette refurbishment will allow it to become what was envisaged when it was first built.

HRH chief executive Leigh Parker said he was thrilled to be able to announce the news to staff on Wednesday.

“We’re obviously very excited and delighted to have received funding to complete both projects,” he said.

“And we want to acknowledge the commitment of the Department of Health and Human Services to ongoing provision of residential care in Heywood.

It’s a vote of confidence in the facility.”

The funding is from two separate packages – the major refurbishment is from the government’s Building Works stimulus fund to help the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, while the kitchen upgrade is part of the fourth round of the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.

HRH has another application to the latter fund, for the second stage of the community health hub redevelopment and hopes to hear good news about that soon.

“That would be the icing on the cake,” Mr Parker said.

Meanwhile there has been more good news for residents at the aged care facility, and their families, after it was reopened for visitors following a relaxing of the coronavirus restrictions.

Those can be for a one-hour period from between 3pm to pm weekdays and 1pm to 4pm on weekends.