Central Highlands Rural Health has been selected as a finalist in two categories in the 2023 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards - Excellence in Aged Care and Small Health Service of the Year.
The awards are a celebration of excellence in public healthcare and acknowledge the achievements of Victoria’s healthcare workers, volunteers, and public health services. Winners will be announced at the 17th Victorian Public Healthcare Awards Gala Night on 16 November 2023.
We have been recognised in the Excellence in Aged Care category for our work in implementing the evidence-based Aged Friendly Health System 4M’s (what Matters, Mind, Medication, Mobility) approach across our three Residential Aged Care facilities. 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. This approach aligns with our vision ‘To deliver the Best Care for every person, every time’ by building a culture of resident-centred care and respecting the diverse choices and preferences of all older people.
The implementation of the 4M’s has resulted in better quality and safer care for people over 70 living in residential care managed by Central Highlands Rural Health as well as positively impacting 135 staff with a range of clinical backgrounds with greater job satisfaction.
The person-centred ethos and commitment to provide the Best Care to every person, every time was also a driving force behind being recognised as a finalist in the Small Health Service of the Year award category. Robust leadership, strong clinical governance, strategic partnerships, highly skilled staff and a broad range of services mean we’re fully accredited and responsive to the changing needs of our communities. All five of our campuses (Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham) are fully accredited with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards for acute and community health and Rainbow Tick Standards. The residential facilities are accredited against the Aged Care Quality Standards.
Central Highlands Rural Health CEO, Maree Cuddihy said: “We are thrilled that our hard work and dedication to providing our communities with the best care for every person, every time has been recognised. To be selected as a finalist in two award categories is a fantastic achievement by our team. The Victorian Public Healthcare Awards attract entries from the best health services in the state so we are in excellent company.”
“The recognition should give further confidence to our community that its health service is a leader in providing care, but also confidence that if they come to us we are well-placed to help through our wide range of services and expertise”, Cuddihy added.
