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Brightwater Care Group
This year Brightwater celebrates 120 years of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the Western Australian community. This is a remarkable milestone, and as I reflect on our founder Lady Madeleine Onslow’s foresight to imagine a better future for those who needed it most, I believe she was driven by the same values that drive Brightwater in 2021. Lady Onslow began the journey all those years ago that still unites us on our Mission – to provide outstanding support to people through their health and wellbeing challenges, whilst maintaining their dignity and providing an environment that offers them independence. That pioneering spirit continues today as we respond to key challenges and focus on the future with forward planning, investment in research and collaboration with industry and Government.
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Changing landscape The final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was handed down this year and the Commonwealth Government has responded with an ambitious reform agenda. Brightwater was involved at several levels, by giving evidence to the Commissioners and making detailed submissions. There have been many changes within the aged care industry already and we are looking forward to the opportunity to build a 'fit for purpose' aged care system for future generations. Brightwater transitioned to the new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements on 1 December 2020. This has seen significant change to the way our staff work with our NDIS clients both in our disability homes and in aged care and was a significant milestone for our staff and clients.
Collaboration, innovation, and research Working with other aged care providers, the Brightwater Research Centre took the lead in commissioning a proactive trial of rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 and influenza for residential aged care clients and staff. We were the first aged care provider in WA to use this simple technology and believe this approach will help us proactively manage COVID-19 outbreaks in the future. With a consortium of five aged care providers, the Brightwater Research Centre was also successful in securing a grant from Lotterywest to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) staff and clients with a cognitive impairment in residential aged care. This important research will assist all providers to support vulnerable clients and our staff during outbreaks.
