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Blue Care is an agency of UnitingCare Queensland, the health and community arm of the Uniting Church in Queensland, Australia. It was originally established as the Blue Nursing Service by the Methodist Church in 1953 and has since become one of the largest not-for-profit providers of residential aged care, community care, and retirement living in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Services are provided across the region through 7 respite centres, 3 community nursing centres, 9 residential aged care facilities, and a continence advisory centre. In 2009, Blue Care was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as an iconic innovation and invention. It was also inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2015.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 1953 |
| Agency of | UnitingCare Queensland |
| Area of operation | Queensland and northern New South Wales |
| Type of care | Residential aged care, community care, retirement living, nursing care, disability support, etc. |
| Awards | Queensland Greats Awards (2009), Q150 Icons of Queensland (2009), Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame (2015) |
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What You'll Learn
Blue Care's history and establishment in 1953
Blue Care, originally established as the Blue Nursing Service, was founded in 1953 by the Methodist Church in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The Blue Nursing Service was inspired by the Newtown Methodist Mission in Sydney, which had launched an aged care nursing service in 1949. The nurses in Sydney became known as the "Angels in Blue" due to their blue uniforms, and this inspired the launch of the Blue Nursing Service in Brisbane on 24 August 1953.
The service was initiated by the West End Methodist Mission, with the goal of providing in-home nursing care to those in need in Brisbane's southside suburbs. At its inception, the service consisted of one full-time paid nurse, Sister Olive Crombie, who travelled by tram to visit her patients. She was supported by four volunteer nurses who were "on call" overnight and had access to their own cars. A small fee was charged for the nursing service, but it was provided free of charge for those in poverty.
The Blue Nursing Service quickly gained popularity, and within three weeks of its launch, Sister Crombie was fully occupied with patients. The Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Frank Roberts, recognised the value of the service and began fundraising efforts, offering a generous donation towards expanding the service. By October 1953, the Methodists in Ipswich were already seeking to expand the Blue Nursing Service to their community, demonstrating the rapid growth and impact of the initiative.
Over the years, Blue Care has expanded significantly and diversified its services to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. Today, Blue Care is one of the largest not-for-profit providers of residential aged care, community care, and retirement living in Queensland and northern New South Wales. It has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Queensland Greats Awards in 2009 and induction into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2015. Blue Care continues to uphold its mission of improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, delivering trusted support and empowering people to live life their way.
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Services provided by Blue Care
Blue Care, an agency of UnitingCare Queensland, has been delivering support to Queenslanders and those in northern New South Wales since 1953. It is one of the largest not-for-profit providers of residential aged care, community care, and retirement living in these areas.
Blue Care was originally established as the Blue Nursing Service by the Methodist Church in 1953. The service was inspired by the Newtown Methodist Mission in Sydney, which launched an aged care nursing service in 1949. The nurses, known as the "Angels in Blue" due to their blue uniforms, provided in-home nursing care to those in need. The Blue Nursing Service in Brisbane aimed to provide similar support to those recently discharged from the hospital and those with chronic illnesses at home. The service consisted of one full-time paid nurse, Sister Olive Crombie, and four volunteer nurses who were "on-call" overnight.
Over the years, Blue Care has expanded its services and now offers flexible and tailored support to carers and individuals living with dementia, including overnight and weekend care. They also provide support to foster parents of children and teens in state custody, as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In recognition of its contributions to developing aged care services in Queensland, Blue Care was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2015. Additionally, during the Q150 celebrations in 2009, Blue Care was acknowledged as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role in innovation and invention.
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Queensland and New South Wales coverage
Blue Care is an agency of UnitingCare Queensland, the health and community arm of the Uniting Church in Queensland, Australia. It was originally established as the Blue Nursing Service by the Methodist Church in 1953 and has since become one of the largest not-for-profit providers of residential aged care, community care and retirement living in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
The organisation has been delivering trusted support to Queenslanders since its inception in 1953. It provides flexible, tailored support in the home for carers and loved ones living with dementia, including overnight and weekend care. Blue Care was recognised as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland during the Q150 celebrations in 2009. It was also inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2015 for its leadership and contribution to developing aged care services in Queensland communities for over 60 years.
The Blue Nursing Service was launched in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1953 by the West End Methodist Mission. The service aimed to provide in-home nursing care to those who needed it in Brisbane's southside suburbs. Within three weeks of the launch, the service was fully booked, and the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Frank Roberts, began fundraising to expand the service. By October of the same year, the Methodists in Ipswich were already seeking to expand the service to their city.
Blue Care's expansion into New South Wales began with the Newtown Methodist Mission in Sydney, which launched an aged care nursing service in 1949. The nurses became known as the "Angels in Blue" due to their blue uniforms. This service inspired the creation of the Blue Nursing Service in Queensland. Today, Blue Care continues to provide vital aged care and community support to individuals in Queensland and northern New South Wales, offering a range of services to meet the diverse needs of its clients.
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Awards and recognition
Blue Care, an agency of UnitingCare Queensland, has received numerous awards and recognition over the years for its innovative and dedicated service in the healthcare sector.
In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, Blue Care was named one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland, honouring its role as an iconic "innovation and invention". The same year, on Queensland Day, it was announced as a recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards. This award recognized Blue Care's contribution to the community as one of the largest not-for-profit providers of residential aged care, community care, and retirement living in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
In 2015, Blue Care's leadership and commitment to developing aged care services for over sixty years were acknowledged when they were inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.
Blue Care is not the only organization under the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to receive awards and recognition. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, for example, has been consistently recognized for its ethical practices, community leadership, and dedication to diversity and inclusion. In 2022, it was named a NOVA Champion for Accountability by the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, in 2024, CareFirst received the Executive Alliance Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation, recognizing their commitment to gender diversity in leadership roles.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, also known as Blue Care Network, has been acknowledged for its cost-effective and quality care. In 2021, its commercial, marketplace, and Medicare HMO product lines received accredited ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has also recognized other organizations under its umbrella for their outstanding work. Blue Cross, for instance, received the Brand Innovation Award for its mental health advocacy program, which aims to improve access to mental healthcare through network expansion, digital solutions, and hands-on navigation for members.
These awards and recognitions highlight the dedication and impact of Blue Care and other organizations under the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in the healthcare sector, particularly in their commitment to innovation, community, and inclusive leadership.
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Contact information
Blue Care Australia has a range of contact options for those seeking information or support. The organisation provides a Customer Service Centre phone number: 1300 258 322, which is a simple way to get in touch and discuss or change services. Alternatively, you can contact your local community centre or residential service directly.
For those who prefer email, the address is [email protected]. Emailing this address is recommended for those with less urgent queries or for those who wish to have a written record of their communication.
Blue Care also has a Central Office, which can be contacted for further information. This office encompasses the Business Management Unit and Human Resources/Staff Development Unit, providing internal support for service delivery programs. These include administration, education, information and advocacy, and volunteer services.
Blue Care has been operating in Queensland since 1953, providing flexible and tailored support for Queenslanders, including those living with dementia. With a range of services, including respite centres, community nursing centres, and residential aged care facilities, Blue Care is a comprehensive health support service.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Blue Care is an agency of UnitingCare Queensland and provides services in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Blue Care was established as the Blue Nursing Service by the Methodist Church in 1953.
Blue Care provides residential aged care, community care, and retirement living services. They also offer nursing services and support for those with chronic illnesses.
Blue Care operates across Queensland and northern New South Wales with services provided through respite centres, community nursing centres, residential aged care facilities, and a continence advisory centre.
Yes, Blue Care has received several accolades. In 2009, it was named one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland, and in 2015, it was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.
