Freeman to remain Monte president

THE presidency of the Montefiore Home will be uncontested at the facility’s upcoming annual general meeting.

Despite claims from communal donor and long-time aged-care operator Millie Phillips that she would challenge current president David Freeman, she hasn’t been able to put together a ticket.

Phillips, who said she could make savings of between $15 million and $30 million if her team ran the Montefiore Home, told The AJN this week that she couldn’t nominate her ticket because nominees had to be financial members before July 1 this year.

“The people that we had ready to take on the board were not eligible to nominate so there wasn’t anything I could do about it,” Phillips said.

“It doesn’t change anything that I have already said.

“The Montefiore’s board is wasting money and there is a lot of money that could be saved if it was run better.”

Freeman said in a statement this week that Phillips’ allegations against the current board were “vicious”, “inaccurate” and “insulting”.

“The community, our residents and family members will not accept the minimum standards of care that is provided by commercial nursing home operators such as Mrs Phillips. Our elderly deserve better,” Freeman said.

He claimed that Phillips didn’t nominate for the board because the community didn’t support her. “For the past 120 years, the Home has had a philosophy of providing the highest standard of care it can responsibly afford for all of its elderly residents, irrespective of whether they are full-fee paying or financially supported pensioners.

“The current highly experienced board diligently upholds this philosophy and supports the provision of services that truly enrich the quality of life of our residents.”

The senior management will remain unchanged, but other spots on the board will be contested, with 13 people nominating for the 11 remaining positions.

JOSHUA LEVI

Montefiore president David Freeman (right) with CEO Robert Orie.

comments