Residents are the ‘real winners’

Aged care provider, Domain Principal Group (DPG), recently announced the winners of its Best Practice Awards – but the real winners are the residents who continually benefit from the range of innovative and caring programs which are incorporated at the homes.

The prestigious and much anticipated National Home of the Year Award was won by Principal Geraldton in Western Australia where the home is a model of efficiency and high level care and outdid DPG’s 55 other homes across Australia.

The Home of the Year Award is awarded to the home that best demonstrates the quality of its care, its financial sustainability, excellence in people management and community involvement. 

The well maintained home demonstrates consistent performance of excellence in clinical care, displays low levels of risk and injury and is a strong performer in employee satisfaction and development with a focus on continuous learning.

Principal Geraldton WA state manager, Tabitha Hilliard, said: “We are a strong team at Principal Geraldton and we all work towards our goals of resident  care and experience whilst at the same time running a well connected and friendly home.”

Community links are important both for the home and the residents as well as providing a dialogue with the local community. The home maintains strong links with other service providers such as TAFE, Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH) mentoring/practical programs for student nurses, occupational and speech therapists.

The home is also a member of the Midwest Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has been a finalist both as a business and for individuals in the ‘Excellence in Customer Service by Individual’ and ‘Excellence in customer service by a business’ for the past two years.

Residents and family surveys throughout last year yielded zero complaints which was a clear indication that the home is ticking all the boxes.

The winners were announced at the 2nd annual award night held at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast which was attended by more than 180 managers and executive staff.

Other awards received are listed below:

Community Engagement Award 2012 – Domain Varsity Rise

Community Engagement Award 2012 – Principal Bossley Park

Clinical Excellence Award 2012 – Principal Stanmore

Clinical Excellence Award 2012 – Principal Narrandera

Staff Development Award 2012 – Domain By the Bay

Lifestyle Program of the Year Award 2012 – Domain Raynbird Place

Workplace Safety Award 2012 – Principal Annandale

Home & Garden Award 2012 – Principal Glenmere