Goodwin Wins National InnovAGEING Award 2019

Goodwin has been awarded the national InnovAGEING award for Increasing Access to Care Services by peak-body, Leading Age Care Services.

The award recognises Goodwin’s commitment to innovation and continual improvement in aged care services resulting in better access and care for residents and clients.

Goodwin is Australia’s first aged care services organisation to employ an on-site pharmacist.

Goodwin CEO, Sue Levy, says this is the outcome of a self-funded collaborative research program between Goodwin and the University of Canberra during 2017, resulting in the employment of Accredited Pharmacist Richard Thorpe who was made a permanent employee in December 2018.

‘We are honoured to receive this award’ says Ms Levy.

General Manager Clinical Services Goodwin, Tamra Macleod says, ‘the research project highlighted several areas for industry-improvement and concluded that embedding pharmacists in residential aged care facilities would enable greater communication and collaboration between members of the multidisciplinary team, while also increasing access and quality of care to consumers.

 ‘It’s wonderful to see the positive outcomes of an in-house pharmacist, not only for Goodwin, but for the entire sector.’

‘Six months into the role, Goodwin’s pharmacist has made a wonderful contribution. He works closely with staff, GPs, residents, and families to review medications.

‘This has empowered those in our care and their families to make more informed decisions regarding medication management,’ said Ms Macleod.

Richard Thorpe has succeeded in addressing polypharmacy and over-medication issues, seen a reduction of chemical constraints, which already sat at a low base, and has provided leadership in anti-microbial stewardship. Achievements also include increasing the number of Goodwin employees who received flu vaccinations this winter.