To build long-term capacity, community organisations must have systems in place that allow them to deliver their services efficiently and effectively.
We saw this in action at Cooinda Court Aged Care, when the organisation undertook significant upgrades to their systems after receiving nearly $70,000 in Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) grants.
They used the funds to modernise Cooinda Court’s systems, installing new technology to improve management of medication systems, clinical care records and communication. All of this was critical to them being able to continue to operate.
Understandably, there are strict accountability requirements in the Aged Care Standards, which require high levels of corporate governance and due diligence, especially around decision making and financial management.
This investment in the IT and Care Management Program was central to Cooinda being able to meet the increased regulation of the aged care sector, as well being able to attract and retain appropriately skilled Board members and executive staff. The new IT infrastructure also increased data security.
Organisational outcomes
Staff report that the new care management system has led to streamlining information collection and management and the upskilling has positively impacted on their confidence and increased literacy. The Board can access documents across the whole organisation, which is a requirement of the Aged Care Standards.
With the installation of MANAD (the electronic care system) and training for staff on this new system, Cooinda also reported better connections with the hospital and doctors. One staff member said, “The new software enables the doctor to be more involved… it’s a spin off”.
At their most recent accreditation visit as of November 2023, Cooinda achieved 100% compliance with the Aged Care Standards. This is a significant achievement largely supported by the IRCF funded IT upgrades.
With the focus of Cooinda Court being to care for frail and elderly people, the continuation of this facility in Junee is critical to maintaining quality local aged care.
A staff member says, “It allows our elderly to be with their family, but also in familiar environments. They used to be sent away, and that could have been up to two hours a trip for family. And if they have a spouse, then that spouse very seldom could make that journey. And these people never survived long.
“So, it is very important for us to keep our community members here because they’ve been a part of our community, when we were young and defenceless, they nurtured us. And that’s what we do now. We look after our residents in an environment that’s solely theirs, where they are protected, and we advocate for them.”
