Central Highlands Rural Health received an award at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards held on November 19 in Melbourne. The Victorian Public Healthcare Awards are a celebration of excellence in public healthcare and an acknowledgement of the achievements of Victoria’s healthcare workers, volunteers, and public health services.
Our hard work and dedication to providing our communities with the Best Care possible was recognised by our peers as we received the award for Excellence in Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services.
The recognition of our work in aged care was driven by implementing the evidence-based Aged Friendly Health System 4M’s (what Matters, Mind, Medication, Mobility) approach across our three Residential Aged Care facilities in Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham. This is a holistic approach to providing complex care and services for older people that improves their outcomes and experiences by prioritising what matters most to them.
Over the course of the year, we made significant improvements to our residents’ dining experience, nutrition and satisfaction with food. This was accomplished through more residents participating in their food choices and what they wanted on the menu and an increase in their participation in food preparation. This led to resident weight improvements and a reduction in falls and injuries from falls.
Not only were we recognised as the State’s best health service for public sector residential aged care, but we were also a finalist in the Premiers Small Health Service of the Year category. Although we didn’t take home this award, to be among the final three is an outstanding achievement as we were in great company with two other quality health services.
Central Highlands Rural Health CEO Maree Cuddihy said:
“We’re proud that our compassion and commitment have made a difference in the quality of care we provide our community.”
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire team to deliver the best care to every person, every time and should provide further confidence to the community that their loved ones are in safe hands.”
“It was an honour to attend the awards and to be in the same room as some of the State’s smartest minds and kindest hearts. Hearing about the amazing projects and selfless volunteers from other health services was inspiring.”
To see the full list of finalists and winners, please visit the VPH Awards website here.
