The independent accreditation assessors strongly recommend that Nambucca Valley Care apply for consideration for better practice awards following its recent accreditation.

CEO Stephen Richards said the visiting accreditation assessors for Autumn Lodge in Macksville had high praise for the facility, and it passed all the requirements with flying colours.

On top of giving Autumn Lodge accreditation to continue its work for the next three years, the assessors recommended that the facility be put up for awards for five of the initiatives they have introduced on the site.

Mr Richards said this was the first time, he was aware of, that Autumn Lodge had been invited to enter the awards.

The initiatives that earned the praise of assessors at Autumn Lodge were a continence management program; aged care nutrition and hydration, including menu planning; speech pathology and occupational therapy assessments; improving handling methods, leading to more comfort for staff and residents when they needed to be moved; and staff development.

Mr Richards said the programs were focused on improving residents’ general quality of life.

Two assessors from the Australian Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency viewed the workings of Autumn Lodge for five days, interviewing staff, residents and their families, and watching the staff work.

Mr Richards said the regular testing was part of the aged care system’s quality control, and ensured that all sites were working to the highest standard, and making improvements all the time.

Nambucca Valley Care board chairman Russell Simmons said the hard work of staff was vital in seeing these positive results for Autumn Lodge and all the staff involved were to be commended for their work.