A Review of the Suzanne Stays Oxygen Apartments

As a motorised wheelchair user, I was asked by STAR Community Services to review an accessible SuzanneStays apartment at Oxygen Apartments, Leichardt St, Spring Hill, Brisbane. I was happy to do so. The owner of Suzanne Stays, Michael Rossiter was our friendly host.

The unit is marketed as a wheelchair-friendly abode, for those able to stand and take a couple of steps or designed for those who are accompanied by a carer or companion.

On the day of the inspection, I travel in my motorised wheelchair from an undercover carpark with disability parking (1 ½ car width), to the reception and then up in a lift with reachable buttons. After navigating the corridor from the lift, Michael holds the door open for me to access the ramped, widened doorway. We land in a spacious, wheelchair-friendly, well-lit living area. This modern space is furnished with a comfortable sofa and wide-screen TV. There is plenty of space for a person in a wheelchair to sit alongside their companion(s). An easy to access balcony, with lots of space to move around, overlooks city buildings in this urban setting. The lights would look great at night.

There is a small, rectangular, well-appointed kitchen with a gas stove, but no room for a 360 degree turn in a wheelchair, so you would require assistance preparing a meal.

The compact laundry is situated off the corridor to the bedrooms. The washing machine has easy access. The dryer would need an upright person to operate.

The wheelchair bathroom is spacious and well-furnished with rails, both in the shower and the toilet. Thoughtful design allows for a fold-up bench and a hand-held rose shower head.

There are two bedrooms, one to accommodate a person in a wheelchair and one for a friend/carer. Both rooms house double beds, thereby enabling a maximum of 4 overnight guests. The carer/friend’s room has a separate ensuite.

The positive features in the compact disability-designed bedroom include a wardrobe without a door, to enhance visibility and easier access without the encumbrance of an open/shut access. The entry into the bedroom has a wider doorway than the other.

Conclusion: The owner of Suzanne Stays is a person with lived experience of a family member with a disability. It is evident that a great deal of thought has been invested in the design of the unit. My overall impression of the accommodation is that it is light and airy. Its proximity to Brisbane hospitals is a great selling point.  The focus on customer service is admirable. The unit’s strongest features are the living area and the bathroom facilities, which are vital when living with disability. The access to pre-delivered equipment hire is a special item to note, too.

The wheelchair-friendly bedroom is compact, but the staff are open to re-configuring the furniture to suit your needs.

I wish the owner and staff of Oxygen Apartments well in their ventures. Their location is ideal for guests who need easy access to city facilities either in a holiday or medical scenario.

 FAST FACTS: 

 Suzanne Stays is adjacent to:

  • St Andrews War Memorial Private Hospital 500 metres
  • Brisbane Private Hospital 450 metres
  • Queensland Eye Hospital 450 metres
  • Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital 1.7 km

(making it an ideal location for post-hospital care in a non-institutional setting e.g. physio treatments in the apartment)

  • Suzanne Stays is registered as an NDIS provider. Cost is $1,700 per week. If holidays or post-hospital care are in your plan, then it may be possible to be reimbursed.
  • Minimum of 7 nights stay.

Services available:

  • Access to a cleaner once a week
  • You can pre-book and hire disability equipment online, including a wheelchair accessible van. These will be delivered before your arrival.
  • In the case of fire in the building, fire officials will assist.
  • Access to a 24-hour manager
  • Get-fit equipment can be found in a ground - floor gym.
  • Access to outdoor BBQ facilities and swimming pool. (No pool ramp or hoist available)
  • Information handbook for guests

For more information go to https://suzannestays.com/find-accommodation/11

Posted in STAR Clients News; Posted 2 years ago