Sundale, Burnie Brae and an executive from BallyCara have been recognised for outstanding achievements in aged care services at a state industry event on the Gold Coast.
Last night’s Leading Age Services Australia’s Excellence in Care Awards, which were selected by a panel of industry experts, honoured Queensland providers in three categories.
The organisation award went to Sundale, a not-for-profit community organisation with facilities spread from Brisbane to Gladstone and west to Kilcoy with its key presence on the Sunshine Coast.
Its focus on clinical excellence, including a nurse practitioner on staff and its clinical governance team that provides specialised support to facilities and in the community, were highlighted.
Sundale’s achievements also include a number of workforce development initiatives including an allied health professional graduate program to address challenges of attracting and retaining registered professionals.
The Healthy Connections Exercise Clinic initiative at Chermside and Taringa from not-for-profit provider Burnie Brae picked up the team award.
The team provides community access to specialised clinical exercise programs and health management services for older people through an individualised and specialised exercise prescription to be completed in a supportive group setting.
The individual award went to Nicole Devlin, chief customer officer at Ballycara, Scarborough, who has worked with the provider since 2010.
Ms Devlin has gained extensive experience in primary health and aged care management, education, leadership, innovation and research over the past 25 years.
A member of the executive team, she leads the operational management and customer service of BallyCara’s wellness, home care, retirement living and residential care services.
Ms Devlin led the formation and embedding the philosophical framework Sona across all areas of service provision and is now working with others in the sector in applying the operational management and workforce development methodology.
LASA CEO Sean Rooney said the achievements by organisations, teams and individuals highlighted the dedication of an industry passionate about providing quality care for older Australians.
“Our industry has countless unassuming professionals, volunteers and organisations who don’t generally look for thanks or praise. It is their dedication and professionalism that make up the backbone of our industry,” Mr Rooney said.
The state award recipients will progress as finalists to the national awards to be held in Adelaide in October.
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