Feedback

The July feedback shows that residents feel comfortable speaking up about their needs and preferences. Four concerns or requests were raised about medication timing, privacy between residents, cigarette arrangements, and support with toileting. Staff listened to the residents and discussed ways to meet their individual needs. Going forward, we need to make sure agreed changes are followed up, shared with staff, and added to care plans where needed.

Incidents Trends:

A total of 15 incidents/clinical skin observations were identified during July. The main themes were falls/rolling from bed, bruising or minor trauma, and wound/skin integrity concerns.
Falls: There were 6 fall/roll-out-of-bed related incidents. Four residents were found or rolled onto crash mats, with no injuries reported, indicating that existing crash-mat strategies helped minimise harm. One resident sustained bruising to the face and hand following a fall and later had a lump on the head documented, requiring continued monitoring and review of falls-prevention strategies.
Skin: During July 2026, Several skin/wound presentations had identifiable causes and were not necessarily care-acquired. These included a biopsy wound following a dermatologist appointment, a wound following SCC removal, an indwelling pleural catheter site following hospital discharge, and bruising/redness identified on admission. Other minor injuries included bruising from a lifter during transfer, a tongue bite, scratches to both arms, a skin lesion, and a small shin bruise after contact with a walker. Falls and roll-outs remain the main incident trend. Continue individual falls-risk assessments, low-bed/crash-mat strategies where clinically appropriate, safe transfer practices and monitoring after falls. Review the lifter-related injury with staff to reinforce safe transfer technique. Continue wound and skin surveillance.

Solutions:

Continue individual falls-risk assessments, low-bed and crash-mat strategies, regular repositioning, and appropriate environmental safety measures. Staff are to conduct regular safety checks and close monitoring during the day and overnight, particularly for residents who are restless, experiencing pain, have poor or disrupted sleep patterns, or are at high risk of falls. Staff should use the CAUSEd approach to systematically assess residents and identify possible contributing factors to restlessness, behaviour changes or increased falls risk, including Communication, Activity, Unwell/Discomfort, Story, and Environment. Identified causes should be addressed promptly and interventions documented and communicated to the care team. Safe transfer and manual-handling practices, skin and wound surveillance, and post-fall monitoring should continue. Staff accountability is essential, with staff responsible for following individual care plans, completing required checks and repositioning, recognising and responding to changes in residents’ condition, escalating concerns promptly, and maintaining accurate documentation to ensure safe and consistent care.

Quality improvements and CIP:
• Trial AI tools to enhance communication, documentation and reporting.
• Resident room and bathroom upgrade
• Personalise oral care plan and communication cue cards
• Released new policy

💊 Do You Need Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can treat bacterial infections and can be life-saving for serious infections.

However, antibiotics are not always needed. When they are used unnecessarily, they may cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance, meaning some antibiotics may not work as well in the future.

When antibiotics are prescribed, you can ask:

What infection is the antibiotic treating?
Are antibiotics necessary?
How long do I need to take it?
What are the possible side effects?
Could it interact with my other medicines?
How will we know if it is working?

Remember: Antibiotics do not treat many viral infections, and finding bacteria in a urine test without signs or symptoms of infection does not always mean antibiotics are needed.

Smart use of antibiotics today helps make sure antibiotics work tomorrow.

Information adapted from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – Better use of antibiotics.

https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/do-you-need-antibiotics-flyer.pdf

Resident Rights, Complaints Process, Palliative Care & Whistleblower Protections

Whistleblower protections

What whistleblower protections do

Workers may be afraid of personal and financial risks by sharing information and disclosures with us. The new Act gives workers rights and protections when they make disclosures that qualify (meet the requirements) for whistleblower protection.

The rights under the new Act for disclosures include:

• Not being subject to retaliation or punishment
• Not being subject to consequences such as civil, criminal or administrative actions (legal actions) that may come up
• Choosing to be anonymous
• Confidentiality
• Being able to take legal action through the courts for compensation if you experience retaliation, punishment or consequences because you made a disclosure.

If something should happen as a result of you making a disclosure, such as being punished for speaking up, we recommend getting independent legal advice or contacting your union to understand how whistleblower protections may apply to you.

Statement of Rights

New Aged Care Act includes a Statement of Rights, outlining the rights that older people have when accessing aged care services. The rights help to ensure that older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.

The rights outlined in the Act help to ensure that older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.
The Statement of Rights include the right for every individual to have:

• independence, autonomy, empowerment and freedom of choice
• equitable access
• quality and safe funded aged care services
• respect for privacy and information
• person-centred communication and the ability to raise issues without reprisal
• advocates, significant persons and social connections.

Providers have to ensure that their actions are consistent with the Statement of Rights. This includes ensuring that their aged care services are delivered by aged care workers who have appropriate qualifications, skills and experience.

Reminder of Consumer Rights and Service

• Senior rights service provides the legal advice, advocacy service and community engagement, for free and confident advice call, 02 9281 3600. Brochures and poster available near the small kitchenette.
• Free advocacy groups available to provide information. Pamphlet are distributing to consumer and available near the dining room information station for consumers and representatives. OPAN poster and contact details 1800 700 600 displayed on the notice board. The video of What Can OPAN help is played during the meeting. Brochures and poster available near the small kitchenette.
• Care plans are readily available for consumers.
• Reminder residents and family to seek consent from residents who have no cognitive impairment and from person responsible for those residents who are unable to give consent before taking photos and/or uploading photo to media.

Reminder of complaints process

• Consumers were reminded with the complaint and compliment process and encouraged consumers to voice for themselves.
• Reminded residents and relative the Open-Door policy of the DON.
• If you need an interpreter to speak with us, call the Translation and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
• If you cannot resolve your concern with the service provider or any serious concern, you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822. If you need an interpreter to speak with them, call the Translation and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
• Consumer and family are aware if they have any concerns and do not wish to speak to the Management team at site level, can directly email or handwrite letters, and someone can assist them in emailing the board@gardenview.org.au
• The Board holds a monthly gathering in the Central Garden to meet and greet residents and seek feedback and suggestions. It is usually held on the second Sunday of the month, starting at 9 a.m.
• Garden View provide protections for whistleblowers to allow reporting without fear of reprisal  Whistleblower@gardenview.org.au
• Reminded consumers that OPAN is available for consumers and family, poster available on notice board.
• Consumer advisory body (CAB) member Ming He and Raymond Murphy (Consumer), David Pearce and Winne Steo (Representative) can be liaison representatives for consumers and relatives for any concerns or issues if they do not wish to speak to management directly. The photograph of the CAB resident members and contact details are displayed on the noticeboard. Garden View is always welcome resident and/or relative to involve and partner the care and/or committee.

Understanding Palliative Care in Garden View

Palliative care is a special type of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for residents living with serious or life-limiting illnesses. The goal is to ensure that every resident receives comfort, dignity, and compassionate support, rather than focusing only on medical treatment. At Garden View, our palliative care approach aims to keep residents as pain-free and comfortable as possible while supporting their emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. Our team works closely with families to ensure that care is personalised and respectful of each resident’s wishes. We also provide family stay options for loved ones who wish to be close during this time and can arrange referrals to the GREAT Team for specialised palliative support when required. Information brochures about our palliative care services are available at reception. Please speak with our Clinical Team if you would like to know more or discuss how we can support you or your loved one.