RDNS leading the way

Innovation in community nursing and home care earned Victoria’s RDNS an accolade last week as aged and community service peaks in Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory recognised excellence in the sector.

 

LASA Vic award winners: (L to R) David Aberdeen, RDNS, Paula Clarke, CaSPA Care, Barry Fenton, mecwacare, and Graham Custance, Care Connect

Innovative practices in community-based nursing and home care services has won RDNS (Royal District Nursing Service) an honour for excellence from Victoria’s aged care industry peak body.

The Leading Age Services Australia Victoria (LASA Vic) Awards for Excellence, now in its fifth year, recognised the best individuals and organisations in the state for their outstanding provision of care to older Victorians at a ceremony at Flemington Racecourse last Thursday evening.

Contributions to the aged and community care sector across were acknowledged in the four categories of employee, organisation, volunteer and trainee.

RDNS (Royal District Nursing Service) picked up the Organisation Award in recognition of its pioneering innovative community care practices such as a hand held, field based real-time client management system that ensures staff have access to up to the minute client data.

RNDS CEO Adjunct Professor Stephen Muggleton said he was delighted with to win the award.

“This award recognises the enormously impressive work being performed across RDNS in so many areas – especially the initiatives and commitments which sustain our reputation as a great place to work,” Prof Muggleton said.

The award is also an endorsement of the success of RDNS’s home-nursing telehealth developments, which recently received a $3.3 million commonwealth government grant to test new healthcare delivery methods using the National Broadband Network, he said.

Other winners

Elsewhere Graham Custance, Care Connect community development manager, took out the Employee Award for his work promoting and supporting the development of community services for Aboriginal elders.

Volunteer of 29 years Barry Fenton from mecwacare received the Volunteer Award in recognition for his dedication, professionalism and leadership.

The final award went to Paula Clarke from CaSPA Care who took home the 2013 Trainee Award.

Formerly a personal care worker with CaSPA, Ms Clarke changed direction and studied a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, which she excelled in.

LASA Victoria Deputy CEO Frances Mirabelli said the awards recognised excellence across all fields of the aged care industry and celebrated the significant contributions made to the quality of life of older people.

“The Victorian aged care industry is renowned for its dedication to ensuring our older people receive the best possible quality care, when and where they need it,” she said.

The awards again attracted a high number of nominations illustrating the depth of talent within the industry, Ms Mirabelli said.

“All nominees, finalists and winners should be congratulated for their outstanding efforts and contribution that they have made not only to our industry, but to the lives of the older people they care for.”

ACS SA & NT awards

Meanwhile, the Aged and Community Services SA & NT also recognised excellence in the delivery of aged and community care services at a formal dinner in Adelaide last Wednesday.

Andrew Stanley, Resthaven Relieving Coordinator Housekeeping Services, won the Employee Award for his housekeeping project which streamlined the meal and menu process, reduced wastage and risk to residents, and increased efficiency.

The initiative has been so successful it was implemented across all of the provider’s residential sites, a Resthaven spokesperson said.

“Andrew is an outstanding contributor to Resthaven. He regularly goes above and beyond the normal requirements of his role and volunteers to be involved in many projects,” the spokesperson said.

“He is a great resource for new and inexperienced Coordinators of Housekeeping Services. He offers support to and mentors new appointees, training them with characteristic cheerfulness, patience and humility.”

Mr Stanley shared the employee award with Peter Skjott from Guide Dogs SA/NT.

Elsewhere at the ACS SA & NT Awards for Excellence, Life Care won the Organisation Award, RAA (Royal Automobile Association of South Australia) was acknowledged as an Industry Supporter and Helping Hand picked up an award in the Design category.

Above: Resthaven Senior Managers Residential Services, Darren Pike and Jenny Whitting; Relieving Coordinator Housekeeping Services, Andrew Stanley; Resthaven CEO, Richard Hearn; Sonia Stanley; Executive Manager Residential Services, Tina Emery at the awards presentation.

 

Tags: acs-sa-nt, awards-for-excellence, lasa-vic,

2 thoughts on “RDNS leading the way

  1. Congratulations to Paula Clarke for the Trainee Award from everyone at MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre. Your passion and dedication to a career is an inspiration.

  2. Congratulations Paula Clarke for winning Trainee of the Year from everyone at MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre. Your passion and dedication is an inspiration.

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