Tuesday 19 September 2023

Dear Colleagues,

After what has been a restful break, I'm pleased to be back and delivering this week's Message From Martin to you. Thank you to Kerryn Vine-Camp who has done a great job as acting NCEO whilst I've been on leave, and to the members of our Executive and the senior leaders who have also stepped up in acting roles over the past few weeks.  

Upcoming Voice Referendum | Information available on Calvary Connect

Calvary’s recent signing of Reconciliation Australia’s statement supporting A Voice to Parliament and a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming Referendum, affirms our ongoing commitment towards reconciliation in Australia, and highlights the role that organisations like ourselves can play in bringing about important positive change.

The Calvary Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group is currently working on a number of associated actions that we will share over the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can find a number of links to information and resources on Calvary Connect, to help you make an informed decision.

Acknowledging Dementia Action Week | World Alzheimer’s Day

Dementia Action Week runs from 18-24 September this year, with the theme “act now for a dementia-friendly future”. It is an opportunity for us all to improve our understanding of the challenges associated with dementia, and learn how we can better support those living with dementia and their carers. World Alzheimer’s Day is also recognised on Thursday 21 September, and aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease, and reduce the stigmas that surround Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

One of the many ways we are stepping up for dementia this year, is with the formation of a Dementia Community of Practice (CoP). Calvary Geriatrician, Dr Mary Ann Kulh and Dr Tony Hobbs, Senior Medical Advisor - Aged Care, recently invited staff to get involved with the CoP, and received a fantastic response from across our hospitals, home care and residential aged care. For more information please reach out to Sally Scarpinato via email, Sally.Scarpinato@calvarycare.org.au.

Dementia Action Week also gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the compassion and expertise of our staff, who provide daily care for our residents, patients and clients who live with dementia, and for the support they provide to families and carers, too. Thank you to these teams, for making a difference in the work you do every day.

Clinical Home Care team in Adelaide goes from strength to strength

Last week was Community Nurses Week, where we recognised the important role our home care staff play in the lives of those in our care, and in our communities, including the Clinical Home Care team in Adelaide who also recently went through their first national accreditation process.

The team work with Calvary SA hospitals, the My Home Hospital team and SA Health to move patients/clients out of the hospital environment, back to their own homes, and ensure that they continue to receive safe, high quality, hospital-level care, in the comfort of their own home throughout their recovery.

Three years ago, the team started out with 10 nurses, and has now grown to more than 120 nurses who visit between 200-300 clients a day, and almost 9,000 clients each month. As Susie Jackson, General Manager Home Care - SA/NT tells us, the team’s success and achievements all come down to the people.

“We have a fabulous Clinical Home Care team in Adelaide, and this recent accreditation process, as well as our growth, is testament to their professionalism, dedication and quality-focus. The incredible client feedback that we receive also highlights the enormous difference our clinical nurses make, when they are able to deliver hospital-level care at home. I’m very proud of the team”

Elevate the Consumer Voice campaign

World Consumer Safety Day was celebrated around the world on Sunday. In recognition of the crucial role that consumers, families and caregivers play in the safety of health care, we are inviting all staff to join the Calvary Elevate the Consumer Voice Campaign.

The campaign aims to elevate the voice of our diverse consumers by inviting staff from all service streams to collect stories that illustrate the safety benefits of partnering in care. We want to hear from our consumers about why they feel it is important to be heard and share in decision-making, what we can do to promote that partnership even more, and examples of how we made our consumers feel safe.

Thank you in advance for elevating and amplifying the voice of our patients, residents, clients and communities. You can learn more about the campaign on Calvary Connect, My Calvary and in the video here, where our National Consumer Representatives invite you to participate in the journey.

Your feedback is welcome

Your feedback, stories and suggestions are always welcome. Thank you for emailing them to m.bowles@calvarycare.org.au.

Have a good week,

Martin

Martin Bowles, National CEO

In 1885, six courageous Sisters sailed into Sydney to continue the mission of Venerable Mary Potter and the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary to care for those in need. Thus began Calvary’s enduring legacy of care in Australia. Today, we continue their mission, in our hospitals, home and virtual care services, retirement living and residential aged care homes across five states and two territories.