HALL & PRIOR H E A LT H & A G E D C A R E G R O U P
NEW $67 MILLION FACILITY LAUNCHED FOR PERTH HILLS
CELEBRATING OUR OUTSTANDING STAFF
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WINDSOR PARK’S DEDICATION TO HIGH-QUALITY CARE
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ABOUT HALL & PRIOR Started in 1992 by Michael Hall and Graeme Prior, Hall & Prior is a leading aged care provider with a passion for providing quality care to older people from all walks of life. Over the past 20 years, Hall & Prior has grown from one nursing home to an organisation that cares for over 1,500 people in Western Australia and New South Wales. Our people are our greatest asset. Each one of our 24 aged care homes is led by an experienced director of nursing who works alongside a team of registered nurses, personal carers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dieticians and chefs to ensure that we meet the individual needs of every resident. As a private, family-owned company, Hall & Prior is committed to bringing long-term benefits to our residents and their families. Our dedicated care teams provide round-the-clock care 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that every resident feels well cared for and at home.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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From the Chief Executive Officer
Looking back at Hall & Prior’s recent history
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Karingal Green development announced Directors’ Awards presentation 2016
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Celebrating our long-serving staff
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Graduation ceremony for upskilled care staff Glenwood resident turns 111 Christmas joy in our homes
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Dedication to quality at Windsor Park
In January Hall & Prior launched the development of the $67 million Karingal Green Residential Aged Care Facility. It will be located in High Wycombe, in Perth’s east, and provide services to the surrounding regions. 0
Vaucluse Deputy Director of Nursing’s journey to care Big changes coming to the home care sector White Oak’s new website launches
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FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER The start of a new year is always an exciting time, as we look towards the months ahead and take stock of the year that has just passed. I’ve taken some time over the Christmas period to reflect on all of Hall & Prior’s achievements over the past few years. Included in this edition are some of our favourite images, all of which have been featured in our Annual Reports. At the end of each year, we celebrate our long-serving and outstanding staff members through the Directors’ Awards and long-service recognition events. I am extremely proud of all our staff and the dedication and commitment they show to this organisation and those we care for. 2016 was a year of change and growth, with our NSW state portfolio growing by four homes, with an additional 200 staff. Our team at Windsor Park Aged Care Home was honoured with a Commonwealth Better Practice Award for their work to develop a culturally valid care program for Aboriginal people. You can read more about Executive Manager Sharyn McDavitt and her team’s approach to care on page 22. We have entered 2017 with energy and enthusiasm for the plans we will implement over the next 12 months. I am proud to launch the $67 million
development of Karingal Green Aged Care Facility, which will bring much-needed care services to the Perth Hills region. You can read more about this on page 10. Our two home care organisations, Clarence Estate Residential & Home Care, based in Albany, Western Australia, and White Oak Home Care Services, based in Perth, are approaching a time of transformation. Amendments to the home care sector will mean consumers are able to have more choice and control over the services they receive, as well as the provider they use.
We have entered 2017 with energy and enthusiasm for the plans we will implement in the next 12 months. We look forward to guiding our existing clients, as well as those who may want to use our services in the future, to making the decision that is right for them.
We will move carefully into the future, always ensuring we keep our residents’ best interest at the forefront of our hearts and minds.
It is truly a privilege to look after almost 2500 care recipients across the spectrum of residential and home care in both Western Australia and New South Wales.
I look forward to working towards a successful 2017 and a future filled with love, mercy and care.
In a world that is rapidly changing, the values of trust and respect are more important than ever. And in these uncertain times, there is little room for failure and risk.
Until next time, GRAEME PRIOR Chief Executive Officer
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Celebrating the achievements of our outstanding staff members at the 2016 Directors’ Awards and Long Service Event in NSW.
Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior, General Manager Health & Care Services WA Jennifer Grieve, St Lukes Medallion recipient Kerry Genetti and Executive Director Michael Hall at the Directors’ Awards event held in Perth.
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NEW $67 MILLION DEVELOPMENT FOR PERTH HILLS REGION ROAD 0
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In January, Hall & Prior was proud to launch a development that will change the face of aged care in Perth’s eastern suburbs. Karingal Green Residential Aged Care Facility will be located in High Wycombe and is due to open by the second half of 2019. It will provide much-needed aged care services to people of the Shire of Kalamunda, as well as the broader communities of eastern Perth and Perth Hills. Located on Hawkevale Road, there will be 160 residential aged care beds at the site and infrastructure to care for the long-term needs of more than 150 home care clients living in the community. The residential care services will cater for both high-dependency residents and lower care alternatives. Specialist dementia care programs will be run from a
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Karingal Green will also include a residential wing of eight beds specifically for the care and lifestyle needs of younger residents, aged 60 or less, who require 24/7 care support. This is a demographic that currently have very limited options or ability to access these services in the Perth Eastern Metropolitan region. The facility will eventually host a wide range of health and lifestyle programs, including a hydrotherapy pool, day respite, allied health and rehab services and a primary health care centre. A significant investment will also be made in an on-site education hub for staff development that will help ensure the highest ongoing quality of aged care personnel and services are made available to the facility and local community. As part
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of the $67 million required for the development, Hall & Prior has secured a $12.0 million zero real interest loan from the Commonwealth Government, $37 million in senior debt from National Australia Bank and $8.7 million finance from a local third party investor to complete the project. Construction of Karingal Green is expected to commence in the second half of 2017 and be complete by the end of 2019. The activities during the first half of 2017 will include finalising design and plans and tendering the project to enable the appointment of a builder in the second half of 2017. Hall & Prior Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior said that Karingal Green would be a landmark aged care development for the region and give people access to high-quality aged care services equal to other parts of
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“The Perth Eastern Metropolitan region desperately needs new, quality aged care services to meet the growing demand from a rapidly ageing population,” Mr Prior said. File Path:Document Title.File Extension
“The development of Karingal Green will be a very big step towards enabling many more local residents to age in or near the community where they have lived, and to remain close to their family and friends.” In addition to providing longterm aged care services for the region, Karingal Green will create a significant number of long-term jobs. An estimated 250 new
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local jobs will be created across the residential and home care services to be operated by Hall & Prior. Karingal Green Residential Aged Care Facility has been designed by leading inter national architects Hassell Studio to provide world’s best practice care programs and promote a philosophy of health, wellness and dignity.
The building will be set within landscaped grounds fronting the Gladys Newton Reserve. Additional areas of the site will be available for future development of further aged services, such as assisted and independent living to meet the changing needs of the community.
The facility will be a generous and contemporary two-storey design, which encourages ease of movement and ready-access to services, while respecting and maximising residents’ privacy, independence and choice
“The Perth Eastern Metropolitan region desperately needs new, quality aged care services to meet the growing demand from a rapidly ageing population.” – Graeme Prior
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Directors’ Awards HONOURING OUR OUTSTANDING STAFF At the end of each year, Hall & Prior celebrates the achievements of its staff. Through celebrations in both Sydney and Perth, Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior, Executive Director Michael Hall and Hall & Prior’s management team all pay tribute to the staff members who have truly made a difference. A total of 56 awards were presented to 50 individuals and four teams at the 2016 celebrations. As four new homes joined the Hall & Prior family last year, the Sydney event was the biggest it has ever been, with more than 400 people attending in November. “Anyone can win a Directors Award, but it’s really about always putting your best foot forward and continually striving to deliver best practice in daily work and quality care to our residents every minute of the day,” Graeme Prior said.
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“Without the dedication, passion and commitment that our carers, nurses and support staff have we wouldn’t be able to deliver the high-quality care that this organisation is known for.” The Directors’ Awards are a reflection of Hall & Prior’s core values: integrity, professionalism, equity, respect, justice, empathy, commitment, loyalty, hospitality and merit. Each year, senior management nominate staff members who continually go above and beyond in their role. The award categories are: Outstanding Leadership: This award recognises employees in a leadership role that consistently perform above and beyond their job description. In 2016, our Directors chose to acknowledge two Directors of Nursing: Anne Curnow from Menaville and Catherine Barlow from Kensington Park. Both have shown strong guidance to their team throughout the year.
Outstanding Achievement:
and values of Hall & Prior.
This award recognises employees who continually try to achieve positive outcomes through commitment to our values, goals, mission and vison as well as dedication, commitment and motivation towards positive outcomes for the homes and Hall & Prior in general.
Teams of the Year:
Outstanding Care & Service: This award recognises employees who have demonstrated outstanding care and service by way of exceptional delivery of the employee’s responsibilities along with dedication, commitment and motivation to achieve positive outcomes for our homes and Hall & Prior. Rising Star: The Rising Star award, recognises emerging and standout employees with exceptional accomplishments who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them. Recipients demonstrate exceptional promise for future achievement and long term growth within the company and embody the vision
This award recognises a group of people who achieve great outcomes in the spirit of teamwork with complementary skills and mutual commitment. Recipients have demonsted exceptional work ethic in order to deliver superior care for care recipients. Scholarship: Since the creation of the Directors’ Awards, 19 staff members have shown an interest in further studies and have been presented with scholarships. In 2016, a scholarship of $2,000 was awarded to Mel Halder who is the Senior Payroll Officer based at the West Perth office. A second scholarship to the value of $2,000 for studies in the field of business management was awarded to Bianca Giannini. Bianca is an Administration Officer at Rockingham Aged Care Home, located south of Perth.
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St Lukes Medallion: Our most prestigious award, the St Lukes Medallion, is reserved for dedicated longterm employees who have made exceptional individual contributions to Hall & Prior and the achievement of our vision, values and philosophy. There are no nominations for this award; a St Lukes medallion is only awarded by the Directors when a worthy candidate is agreed upon. In 2016, this award was presented to Kerry Genetti, who has been providing training and education to Hall & Prior’s staff since 2007.
Congratulations
TO OUR 2016 AWARD RECIPIENTS
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP
Rita Chamboko
Anne Curnow
Carmel Hurrelbrink
Catherine Barlow
Deborah Hall
Elham Mokhtari
Anastacia Capao OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Librato Maglaqui
Kerry was responsible for delivering the core training course, which every new staff member is required to undertake. All staff are also required to retake the course annually.
Katie Ancheta
Marie Davies
Her decade of training means she is estimated to have held 600 sessions, 10,000 staff training days and been responsible for 5,000 new staff during this time.
Angela Sinclair
Through her role as the face of training for our organisation, Kerry has made a significant contribution to Hall & Prior’s culture, knowledge and learning for the group. Her organisation, flexibility and reliability are second to none, and in 10 years she only missed one day of work. While Kerry made the decision to retire at the end of 2016, the Directors were proud to honour her commitment to this organisation through this award.
Saraswoti Chapagai Caitlyn Hewitt David Holmes David Stroud Bianca Giannini Fiona Clarkson Almaz Belay Mai Issyakou Tracey McKenzie OUTSTANDING CARE AND SERVICES Avril Wallace Andjelika Stanisic Justine Turnbull Nichola Walker Mon Pace Jenny Hung Chan Emily Hill
Integration Team
Lou Pietersen Paul Cagulada Esther Antonyo Harjit Kaur Dehal Vesna Pavlovska Pamela Harper
Glenwood Management and Clinical Practice Team – Sophie Woodward and Nicole Smith The Staff of Agmaroy Nursing Home Staff of Fresh Fields Kitchen
Juliana Bigitibau
RISING STAR AWARD Patricia Silao
Grace Phiri
Laxmi Gurung
Mel Halder
Kristi Holloway
Lynn Thompson
Genn Carao
Mohamed Muhamed Christina Brunton Dessie Kiersima Toni Mchale Fiona Van Dongen Kathy Crowley
Sally Monteiro Jacinta Lakin Belinda Mogensen SCHOLARSHIP Bianca Giannini
TEAMS OF THE YEAR
Mel Halder
New South Wales & Western Australia Acquisition
ST LUKES MEDALLION Kerry Genetti
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CAPTION CAPTION
RECOGNISING OUR LONG-SERVING STAFF Hall & Prior’s greatest strength lies in its people. Each year, Graeme Prior and Michael Hall, along with the leadership team across the organisation, take time to recognise the unwavering commitment of our longserving staff. While these individuals may perform vastly different roles, from care staff, clinical tasks, maintenance, cleaning, food preparation, or to an administration role, they all have one thing in common. They have all shown true dedication and commitment to care, and are a shining example of the company value of loyalty. Through this year’s end of year award presentation evenings, we were proud to recognise 147 staff members across Perth and Sydney. Many of these work at one of the four new homes we acquired at the start of 2016, and so their decades of service were acknowledged for the first time. As part of the 147 people acknowledged, 74 had reached the milestone of 10 years, 38 reached 15 years and 16 people had been with their aged care home for 20 years. In addition, 12 staff members were celebrated for reaching 25 years and six people reached 30 years. And finally, Aileen Hickey from Leighton Aged Care Home in West Perth was recognised for reaching an incredible 40 years of service. Congratulations again to the following staff members for their dedicated service.
10 YEARS Heather Dolan - Agmaroy Catherine Dumenil - Agmaroy Carmel Hurrelbrink - Agmaroy Joan Robson - Agmaroy Anastasia Costas - Alloa Leanne Murrell - Aubrey Downer Anastacia Capao - Belmont Sharon Kirkup - Belmont Mira Gurung - Caroline Chisholm Mary Kirrane - Caroline Chisholm Tina Barton - Clarence Estate Julie Dell’Anna - Clarence Estate Ritu Chand - Clover Lea Ranjit Chattha - Clover Lea Leonie Eastley - Clover Lea Jaibun Khan - Clover Lea Safina Khan Singh - Clover Lea Sereima Koroi - Clover Lea Walter (Christoph) Krause - Clover Lea
Rohit (Sherin) Kumar - Clover Lea Subadra Subadra - Clover Lea Priti Tiwari (Malla) - Clover Lea
Ling Wang - Clover Lea Malaiporn (Puki) Wetpram Clover Lea
Kwee Chai - Concorde Akhom Haffenden - Concorde Jesusa Silverio - Concorde Annie Soh - Concorde Rechilda Castro - Fairfield Corallie Fenech - Fairfield Elmer Juan - Fairfield Murdina Martinoski - Fairfield Thi Hong Anh Nguyen - Fairfield Van Niem Nguyen - Fairfield Nancy Pilar Palomino Medina (Heredia) - Fairfield Rohini Devi Prakash - Fairfield Susan Redfern - Fairfield Marwan Rima - Fairfield Faavaoa Talaia - Fairfield Siriwana Tejata - Fairfield Deb Ross - Fresh Fields Michiyo Kubota - Glenwood Anne Tanner - Glenwood Akiko Taylor - Glenwood Ramadan Abdalla - Kensington Cho Cho Lwin - Menaville Olabode Omotade - Menaville Nola Rule - Mosman Park Janaya Scholten - Mosman Park Devi Subramaniam - Mosman Park and Freshwater Bay Liidi Tammann - Rockingham Peter Ward - Rockingham Hee Hyun Cho - Shangri-La Connie Fernandes - Shangri-La Zosimo Gaspi - Shangri-La Soon Ok Lim - Shangri-La Lucy Marembo - Shangri-La Sita Newar - Shangri-La Margaret Parker - Shangri-La Tse Miao Viet - Shangri-La Tan Foon Vong - Shangri-La Rachel Aepuloni - Sirius Cove Mele (Mary) Meatoga - Sirius Cove Faalogo Pepine - Sirius Cove Faatuai Vailepa - Sirius Cove Karen Ding - St Lukes Maria Jones - St Lukes Fiona Clarkson - Tuohy Kristy Tait - Tuohy
Maria Catanzariti - Vaucluse Christiana Caulker - Windsor Park Gloria Collins - Windsor Park Brzaf Gebru - Windsor Park Evelyn Saah - Windsor Park
15 YEARS Bernadette Rosemarie Bright Aubrey Downer
Susan Foreman - Aubrey Downer Jennifer Gavin - Aubrey Downer Lorene McBride - Aubrey Downer Carolyn McKeon - Aubrey Downer Margaret Wolf - Aubrey Downer Josephine Canlas - Caroline Chisholm
Carl Gerke - Caroline Chisholm Ariel Santos - Caroline Chisholm Michelle Wilson - Caroline Chisholm
Losekaniti Ikani - Clover Lea Elmer Juan - Clover Lea Laxmi Patil - Clover Lea Hemlata Shankar - Clover Lea Teuila Tuita - Clover Lea Gail Jones - Concorde Konga Koula Hingano - Fairfield Van Thi Nguyen - Fairfield Daravatey Tee - Fairfield Tuyen Kim Vuong - Fairfield Robyn Alirejo - Freshwater Bay Bronwyn Chisholm - Freshwater Bay
Josephine Canlas - Glenwood Ian Duncan - Glenwood Irene Whippy - Glenwood Kraig Hoogland - Mayfair Street Felicidad Carbery - Menaville Karanita Sumeo - Menaville Helen Simpson - Mosman Park Elenoa Kamali - Shangri-La Olive Makakaufaki - Shangri-La Mary Anne Naw - Shangri-La Mii Tautua - Shangri-La Elizabeth Underwood - Shangri-La Lynnette Thompson - St Lukes Nicole Revuelta - Vaucluse Vanessa McManus - Windsor Park Petronella Vanderwel - Windsor Park
20 YEARS Tina Hayes - Aubrey Downer Miriam Holland - Aubrey Downer Carolyn Leaudais - Aubrey Downer
Susan Watson - Aubrey Downer Lynne Power - Caroline Chisholm Irene Tan - Caroline Chisholm Sylvia Markovski - Clover Lea Christine Willerton - Clover Lea Helen Ling - Concorde Nada Nikolova - Fairfield Su Mei Tan - Glenwood Avelina Contreras - Leighton Brenda Deas - Leighton Andjelka Stansic - Menaville Yasmeen Sonnante - Shangri-La Kathy Vardakis - Shangri-La
25 YEARS Corey Kelly - Aubrey Downer Georgette Khoury - Caroline Chisholm
Emily Ledwidge - Caroline Chisholm
Edna McEwen - Caroline Chisholm Rodelia Dizon - Fairfield Rosie Fatima Castillo - Fairfield Amelita Kofod - Fairfield Maria Lenci - Fairfield Rozalina Mispiacegui - Fairfield Lien Hoa Quach - Fairfield Marie Markarian - Glenwood Marcelino Alzate - Shangri-La
30 YEARS Cecilia Tablante - Alloa Maria Katsoulotos - Clover Lea Susan Reynolds - Fairfield Marion Bennett - Shangri-La Marianne Lawson - Shangri-La Asena Ricketts - Shangri-La
40 YEARS Aileen Hickey - Leighton
GRADUATION CEREMONIES FOR UP-SKILLED CARE STAFF As part of Hall & Prior’s end of year staff recognition events, we incorporated graduation ceremonies for those who have succeeded in our internal care training initiatives. The Personal Carer Advanced Practice (PCAP) program runs in WA and in NSW there is the Assistant in Nursing (AIN) Team Leader program. The courses are available to care staff who wish to increase their skills and take on extra responsibilities within the home. Staff assist our registered and enrolled nurses with tasks such as administrating medication, taking vital signs and helping to monitor residents. The PCAP course has been running since 2007 and is a
stepping stone towards a new career path, as after participants have finished the course they can work towards further nursing qualifications. The two-month course involves six full study days and undertaking 10 medication rounds within the home. The AIN Team Leader program is modelled as a four-week intensive training schedule. Some of their tasks include assisting nursing staff, medication management, wound care, and completing appropriate documentation. In 2015, our NSW team had 12 graduates from the AIN program, with a further 10 completing the qualification in 2016. The program has now been rolled out to three of the four new homes that joined Hall &
Prior NSW last year, which is a tremendous result. The PCAP graduates were formally recognised for the first time this year, with a total of 80 graduates from across the 14 homes in WA receiving their certificate of completion for the course.
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GLENWOOD’S ANN QUAN CELEBRATES BEING 111 YEARS YOUNG While turning 100 can be a rare occurrence, Glenwood Aged Care Home resident Ann Quan had 11 extra reasons to celebrate when she hit a massive birthday in December 2016. She celebrated her 111th birthday surrounded by five generations of family members. When asked about Ann’s secret to a long life, her family attributed it to clean living at Bondi beach, almost two decades of care at Glenwood and her strong Christian faith. Ann has been worshipping at the Chinese Presbyterian Church in Surry Hills for over 50 years. Her church minister blessed her on her birthday – the same minister who gave her a blessing on her 100th birthday. Born in 1905, Ann’s life has been bookended by community living – her early life at boarding school and the latter part at Glenwood located in Greenwich, New South
Wales. When she was young, her father lived in the US and sent money back to China to support his family. He was determined that Ann should have a good education, so from age five until she turned 21, Ann boarded at a school in Canton, China that was run by the Presbyterian Church of America. The school later became the first Presbyterian Ladies College in China, and in her adult life Ann was a teacher there. At the age of 23, Ann married widower Peter Geen Quan in the southern Cantonese city of Chak Hum and became the mother to four stepchildren from his previous marriage. Ann’s husband Peter arrived in Perth in 1899 at age 16. He later moved to Sydney and settled at Bondi Beach while supporting his family in China. Peter worked at Old Sydney Markets as a fruit and vegetable agent and later owned and ran a green grocery business. In 1948 Peter decided
to move his wife Ann and five of his children to Sydney after World War II, Japan’s invasion of southern China and the Communist Party taking power. The family settled in Bondi Beach where Peter and Ann ran a green grocery business and the children attended local schools. Ann has enjoyed many years raising grandchildren, being an active part of her church community and helping her family wherever she could. Ann’s birthday celebrations are a much looked-forward to family gathering. Ann has two children who are still living and is granny to ‘grandchildren’ aged between seven months and 71 years. Ann returned to community living when she was 94. For the last 17 years she has lived at Glenwood enjoying views of Sydney Harbour but remains a Bondi girl at heart.
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SPREADING JOY THROUGH OUR HOMES DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON December is always a busy time for all of our homes as they prepare to host Christmas celebrations for residents and their families. Whether the festivities involve carols, a visit from Santa, a special meal, paper hats or live music performances, our staff work hard to make sure their special events bring the joy of the season to each home and to those we care for. Our New South Wales homes were lucky enough to enjoy performances from the Men’s Shed Chorale, while the Albany City Band performed a wide range of classics at Clarence Estate. Representatives from local clergies also attended many of our homes’ events to speak about the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas events, as well as all the families who visited throughout the festive season and helped make these days special.
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Manager of Safety, Quality and Compliance Janice Rooney, Aboriginal Health Coordinator Wendy Ashwin, Deputy Directors of Nursing Louise O’Hare and Julie Warhurst, Executive Manager Sharyn McDavitt, Australian Aged Care Quality Agency WA State Director Paul Richards, General Manager Health & Care Serivces WA Jennifer Grieve and Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior at the 2016 Directors’ Awards.
COMMITTMENT TO HIGH-QUALITY CARE AT WINDSOR PARK To deliver excellent care, you need exceptional staff. Last year, the team at Windsor Park Aged Care Home was honoured with a Commonwealth Better Practice Award for their culturally valid care program for Aboriginal people. The program was developed over the past decade, and was the result of a combined effort from staff, our resource team partners and connections with the academic and Aboriginal communities. The 118-bed home is located in Carlisle, in Perth’s east, and is a welcoming, vibrant home filled with energy. It is separated into two wings, Coolibah Lodge and Banksia and Boronia. In this edition we are proud to highlight Windsor Park’s management team: Executive Manager Sharyn McDavitt, Deputy Directors of Nursing Julie
Warhurst and Louise O’Hare and Aboriginal Health Coordinator Wendy Ashwin. Executive Manager Sharyn McDavitt said she has always known she wanted to work in a role where she helped people. “I started in aged care 40 years ago as a Registered Nurse at Royal Perth Hospital,” she said. “I’ve always felt passionate about end of life care and dementia care.” Sharyn has been with Hall & Prior for 10 years and has been the Executive Manager at Windsor for the past seven and a half. “There are different challenges every day, and there are a vast range of comorbidities and behaviours,” she said. “But the teamwork I see here is just incredible. Everyone works
together to do their best and keep our residents happy.” “To work somewhere like Windsor you need to be open-minded, a team player and above all you need to be compassionate.” Deputy Director of Nursing (DDON) Louise O’Hare manages Banksia and Boronia and began her journey to aged care when she qualified as a registered nurse in 2009 in her homeland of Ireland. “A few close friends and my mum are all nurses, so that steered me towards nursing to begin with,” Louise said. “I was accepted into Queens University in Belfast but it wasn’t until I was on my first placement that I knew this was definitely the job for me.”
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“To work somewhere like Windsor Park you have to be open-minded, a team player, and above all you need to be compassionate.” - Sharyn McDavitt
“I was eager to get started after uni so I got a job in a nursing home called Aughnacloy House in the dementia-specific unit,” Louise said. “I worked with a wonderful team of people up until I left to come to Australia in August 2011.” She joined Windsor Park in 2012 as a Registered Nurse in Coolibah Lodge, then progressed to the role of Clinical Nurse Manager before becoming the DDON. “Windsor Park challenges me every single day,” Louise said. “It’s such a busy environment and working here has definitely helped my confidence as a nurse. It’s a great place to work and we all look after each other.” She said she loved the opportunities to learn at Windsor Park, particularly in the areas of palliative and end of life care. To keep up with the busy home, Louise said patience, kindness, compassion and a good sense of humour were essential to be able to face the unknown challenges that change on a daily basis. DDON Julie Warhurst has managed Coolibah Lodge since 2015, but joined the home 24 years ago, working as a Registered Nurse doing shift work. She got her start in the sector through mental health nursing,
and said care has always been a passion for her.
working as a Senior Redress Officer.
“I have always wanted to work in a role where I help people,” she said. “I think it must be in my genes – my mum was a nurse and my sister is too.”
She has also previously worked for the Department of Child Protection.
“Windsor is definitely unique and every day is different. “I love the teamwork and caring nature of our staff, and the support we all receive from management to make a difference with our resident. “Many of them have no family contact or support so this is so important.” When asked what advice she would give to someone looking to work in a big home like Windsor Park, she said she would tell them to definitely take on the challenge. “Always finding time in your day to find a bright note is key,” she said. “Laughter really is the best medicine, so you have to maintain a sense of humour, communicate and be supportive of your work colleagues.” Wendy Ashwin joined Windsor Park in 2014 in the role of Aboriginal Health Coordinator. She has previously worked at the Office of the Public Advocate as a guardian, advocating for clients, the Department for Communities
Her role at Windsor Park involves advocating for individual Aboriginal care recipients and helping residents maintain social and family connections. Wendy also liaises with the State Administrative Tribunal and Members, along with the Office of the Public Trustee (Administration) and The Office of the Public Advocate (Guardianship), where appropriate to a person’s circumstances. “I was working as a guardian for a number of residents at Windsor Park so that’s how I got to know the home,” she said. “After a while Sharyn asked if I would be interested in working in the Aboriginal Health Program.” “The thing I like the most is how much support I’ve received working at Windsor. It’s much more hands-on than my previous positions. “Even though it is challenging it is very rewarding.” Congratulations again to the staff of Windsor Park on their 2016 Commonwealth Better Practice Award.
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MANEZHEH JAFARI’S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY TO VAUCLUSE At Hall & Prior, we employ people from all over the world, who each have different backstories that led them to their journey to care. Manezheh Jafari, who is the Deputy Director of Nursing at Vaucluse Aged Care Home in Sydney, is one of those people. She grew up in Tehran, the capital city of Iran with her parents and six siblings. Manezheh has fond memories of travelling with her family to destinations like the Caspian Sea, and well as singing and playing guitar when she was a teenager. While she dreamed of one day studying medicine, her high school grades didn’t allow her entry into a medicine degree, so she decided to channel her passion for care into becoming a registered nurse. While studying she also entered into the media industry, as an announcer and a newsreader for radio and television in Southern Iran. Unfortunately, she had to give up this role two years later
due to pressures from the Islamic government. In 1977 Manezheh graduated from her four-year nursing degree at Tehran University and began working at Burns Hospital, the biggest facility of its kind in Tehran. While she describes her early nursing career as challenging, it meant she was able to rise through the ranks quickly, and was promoted to Director of Nursing in 1980. This was at a time of war between Iran and Iraq, and Manezheh and her colleagues were responsible for treating thousands of wounded Iranian soldiers. She describes the events that occurred back then as well as the horrors she had witnessed. On one particular occasion, she recalls being petrified and shaking in fear. She, her family and others in the area saw a big fire coming from the sky which they knew was a bomb. She remembers waiting, wondering where it would hit and if this time it will be them who would perish.
By sunrise the whole suburb next to them was gone and they had lost family and friends. As heartbreaking and terrifying as this time was, as a nurse she knew she had to continue with her duties. Through her work she was helping soldiers who had lost limbs, been blinded or had burns over 90 percent of their bodies. Manezheh would work 16-hour days, as there was a curfew during this period the night staff couldn’t come to work or go home. “It was a very distressing time. Speaking about it now has brought back so many memories,” she said. In 1983, Manezheh, aged 29, made the long journey to immigrate to Australia with her husband and 3-month-old son Aryan, in order to escape the devastating conditions. Two years later, following the revolution in Iran, Manezheh’s older sister Mary (Sedigheh) Jafari immigrated to Germany
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with her husband and children. Manezheh trained for six months at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney to complete her Australian nursing registration, and in 1986 she began her career in the aged care industry. “I was so happy working in an aged care home and caring for the elderly,” she said. In 1992, Manezheh’s sister Mary and her family left Germany and settled in Sydney, joining the rest of her siblings, nieces, nephews and her mother in Australia. Mary followed in her sister’s footsteps and begun a career in aged care, working as a nurse in various aged care homes. “Mary was always known for being full of life, caring and really hard working,” Manezheh said. “She really enjoyed the time she spent working in aged care and loved the residents she cared for.” In 2008, Manezheh was working as Nursing Unit Manager in an aged care home when the opportunity came up to join the team at Vaucluse Aged Care Home, in Sydney’s east.
“As soon as I started working at Vaucluse I loved being there” “It was quite far away from my home but that didn’t matter because it was such a great place to work in. I particularly valued the caring relationships between staff and residents and the management style in the home.” Six months after she joined the home she accepted the role of Deputy Director of Nursing. Sadly, Manezheh’s connection with aged care took on a personal note when her sister’s dementia progressed to the point where she required fulltime care in an aged care home. While she was initially staying in a home closer to Manezheh’s home, in 2016 the decision was made for Mary to move in to Vaucluse Aged Care Home. “She’s a lot more settled now and her husband and daughters visit often, even though she has trouble remembering them,” she said. “I can see her every day at work, even though it is very hard to
watch her and her dementia deteriorating but I know that all the staff and management look after her very well, she gets lots of love and attention from them and receives the best care. Mary was not only my sister, she was also my best friend but now because of the dementia I feel I have lost that with her.” After almost nine years of working at Vaucluse, Manezheh said she still enjoys being part of the home. Together with Mary she enjoys all the events the staff hold, such as Christmas and Anzac Day services, Easter and resident birthday parties. “I am lucky to work with such friendly people like Joy, Maria, Chris and all the other staff at Vaucluse,” she said. “I also enjoy the Hall & Prior end of year Long Service and Directors’ Awards event every year. I feel like it shows that this organisation cares a lot about their staff.”
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MORE CHOICE FOR CONSUMERS AFTER HOME CARE CHANGES In addition to our 24 aged care homes, Hall & Prior operate two home care services in Western Australia. Clarence Estate Home Care is based in Albany and provide services to the wider Great Southern region, and White Oak Home Care Services is located in the Perth metropolitan area. From 27 February 2017, the Australian Government is implementing changes that will mean people with home care packages will have more choice and control over the provider they use. The changes mean if you are an existing home care client for another provider and want to change to White Oak or Clarence Estate’s home care programs, you will be able to make this
transition. People often prefer us because we have strong local ties in both Albany and Perth and offer highquality services that are based around what the client wants. We know how important it can be to have care workers you know and trust in your home, and in most cases we are able to organise for you to be visited by regular carers you are comfortable with. You will be able to transfer the balance of your funds to us and we will work with your existing provider to ensure that this is seamless. Neither Clarence Estate nor White Oak charge exit fees to our clients, but many other providers do. This is deducted from your
total package funds. If you are with another provider and are unsure if there is an exit fee, you are always able to ask. If you are happy with your existing provider and don’t want to change, but are wanting some good information about home care to assist you in making better choices about your package, we can give you advice whenever you need. Learn how you can make it work for you. For more information about the changes coming to home care in 2017, go to www.myagedcare.gov.au or speak to one of our friendly staff members at Clarence Estate Home Care in Albany, or White Oak Home Care Services in Perth.
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR WHITE OAK HOME CARE SERVICES White Oak Home Care Services is proud to announce the launch of their new website. We understand that organising aged care can be confusing, so our new site was specially designed to make it easy to find detailed information on White Oak’s full range of services and programs. Our custom-built Home Care Calculator can show you how many hours of our high-quality, affordable services you are able to receive each week, depending on your package type and contribution. The site is able to be viewed on a range of devices, such as a mobile or tablet, to make it simple to use wherever you are. If you are looking for guidance on how we can help you or a loved one keep happy and healthy in your own home, White Oak can help. In addition to our site, our friendly staff are always there to guide you through this process. View our new website at www.whiteoak.com.au and let us know what you think!
Coming soon Clarence Estate Home Care’s website launch! This site will show you the wide range of services available to people living in Western Australia’s Great Southern region.
HEAD OFFICE 16-18 Mayfair Street West Perth WA 6005 PO Box 1593 West Perth WA 6872 T 08 9321 1388 F 08 9321 1490 E info@hallprior.com.au
OUR HOMES
Windsor Park Executive Manager Sharyn McDavitt and her some of her team in the grounds of Windsor Park Aged Care Home. The 118-bed home is located in the suburb of Carlisle, in Perth’s east.
NEW SOUTH WALES STATE OFFICE 274 Burns Bay Road Lane Cove NSW 2066 PO Box 84 Lane Cove NSW 1595 T 02 9427 8978 F 02 9427 3218 E infonsw@hallprior.com.au
hallprior.com.au