Workers there said it showed the home’s commitment to improving services for residents.

The mini-bus has been sold by the other home in the town, Glenwood, which is owned by the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution.

Roesneath care worker, Brian Hansell, said the bus was important as a way of keeping residents in touch with the community. It would enable them to go on trips more easily.

Last year, Roseneath was stung by a damning report by the agency which inspects homes for old people in NSW. A later report said problems had been sorted out.

In the initial report, assessors from the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency voiced concern about the inadequacy of pain relief for residents, particularly in their last days. The inspectors' report said that the home had failed to make the grade in 17 out of 44 standards stipulated by the government. It says those failings have since been rectified.

Both homes in the town are undergoing major investment and expansion, an indication of the demographics of Glen Innes, with the numbers of very old people rising.

The figures indicate a falling proportion of younger and middle aged people.

See also: Damning report on Roseneath.