Residential care shines at Cooinda and Gannet House

Metro North Health’s residential aged care facilities Cooinda and Gannet House have for the first time both been acknowledged with the highest national five-star rating for the care they provide.

Community and Oral Health Nursing Director Specialised Aged Care Belinda Sawtell said this was an exceptional outcome, and the recognition reflected the great work of staff and residents to make our facilities as home like, safe and comfortable as possible.

“In the past few years, we have introduced a range of recreational, technology, amenity and clinical initiatives and enhancements to improve the care we provide at both public aged care facilities,” she said.

“It is humbling that our Cooinda and Gannet House residents, their families and our peers rate us so highly for the experience, safety and care we provide.

“This exceptional result reflects our teams’ dedication to delivering high-quality, person-centred care and fostering supportive environments where residents feel valued and safe.”

The Australian Government assesses the quality of care at all government-funded aged care homes throughout Australia, as part of the Aged Care Star Ratings Program. Gannet House has previously received a five-star rating.

“Each year, based on these assessments, each aged care facility receives a star rating between one and five as a simple way of showing information about the quality of care they provide and how they compare to others,” Belinda said.

“As part of the results we were rated highly by for resident experience and living environment based on survey feedback.

“Compliance to the regulatory decisions and standards from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission were also very high.”

For resident Chris, who has been at Cooinda House for the past two years, it was all about the great connections she had made since she started calling the aged care facility her home.

“I was living at home by myself and since I have arrived at Cooinda House it has been wonderful, the staff are just amazing as well as the other residents,” Chris said.

Belinda said the average care time residents received from nurses, personal support workers and assistants was also very high compared to other aged care providers.

“We also performed highly across the quality of care we provided in key areas such as pressure injuries and falls prevention, and medication management,” Belinda said.

Australian Government’s Aged Care Star Ratings program was introduced in December 2022.

Cooinda and Gannet House have also recently introduced new patient and family cinemas and kitchens to support resident wellness and social inclusion.
The two recreational aged care facilities are 60-bed residential homes which provide care for the elderly.

Cooinda House also provides care for the elderly who require a secure dementia environment and/or specialised residential care for those with an intellectual disability, psychogeriatric, bariatric and/or aged care needs.