Finalists named in new HESTA Excellence Awards

Now these 24 teams from the aged care, disability, allied health and community care sectors - all finalists in the new HESTA Excellence Awards - are vying for a share of the $60,000 prize money.

The national Awards, which launched this year, highlight the extraordinary work being done across the sectors to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities - from launching a national telehealth counselling service care for the mental health of aged care residents to providing a low/no-cost meal service for aged care clients during COVID-19.

Three finalists from each of the four sectors were chosen across the categories of Outstanding Organisation and Team Excellence and were selected from hundreds of nominations by an independent judging panel.

Two South Australian organisations and a Tasmanian not-for-profit have been selected in the Outstanding Organisation - Aged Care category.

Tasmanian Community Based Support (CBS) helps frail-aged people, or those living with a disability, to remain living independently at home for as long as possible.

Through their nine Social Hubs, Moonah-based CBS provides connections and community access to older people who may otherwise be isolated. Other services include exercise groups as well as personal, home and garden maintenance support.

When COVID-19 hit, CBS helped clients connect by providing devices to enable virtual get togethers, creating exercise programs (online and DVDs) and a meal delivery service - providing a full two-course meal for just $5.

South Australian-based ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home) was chosen for delivering "outstanding support to older people through its innovative and inclusive model of care".

This includes community-based interdisciplinary care, affordable housing for older people with limited financial means, support for the LGBTI community to access advice and aged care services in a culturally safe way, and strong technological and social supports.

ECH has also developed a prototype 'connected communities' program, which promotes and provides neighbourhood-based support for older people at risk of social isolation.

Other finalist Southern Cross Care (SA, NT and VIC) has been hailed for its live monitoring clinical care system called Person Centred Software, which has been rolled out across 17 residential care homes in SA and the NT.

PCS has helped in individualise each resident's care plan, which is followed and monitored by staff on hand-held devices. This has allowed staff and the whole organisation to work more efficiently and productively, improving care outcomes for residents.

Southern Cross Care's Wound Champions Team is also a finalist in the Team Excellence - Aged Care category.

Wounds are becoming more common in aged care due to the complexity of health conditions among residents, with an estimated 10,400 pressure injuries and 2,500 other ulcers per year across residential aged care in Australia.

Across all of SCC's 17 Residential Care homes, wound champions are supporting nurses and care staff to promote good skin integrity, reduce wound prevalence and shorten healing times. They have also helped develop a more efficient wound management system and support training on wound staging and classification.

Joining the Wounds Champions in the Team Excellence category is Queensland-based aged care provider Footprints in Brisbane's Aged Care Services Team.

The team's Whole Meals initiative was a result of finding new ways to help clients stay supported during Queensland's COVID-19 restrictions. The Footprints Aged Care Team quickly identified clients who needed healthy meals delivered, paving the way for the launch of their meal service at low or no cost for clients.

And the third finalist in the Team Excellence - Aged Care category is Swinburne University of Technology's Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults.

Responding to the significant restrictions to face-to-face visiting as a result of COVID-19, the clinic's team established the National Telehealth Counselling and Support Service. The first of its kind in Australia, the telehealth service provides support to vulnerable aged care residents who may be experiencing mental health issues including depression, anxiety and loneliness.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said each of the 24 finalists have pushed boundaries, shown innovation and made a real difference to people's lives.

"These highly skilled professionals deserve to be recognised for the incredible impact they have had in their communities, which is why HESTA is proud and privileged to help shine a spotlight on their achievements," she said.

The eight winners will each receive $7500 for further education, service or team development provided by ME bank.

Full list of award finalists:

ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home), SA - Delivering outstanding support to older people through its innovative and inclusive model of aged care.

Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) - Providing quality healthcare for residents using Person Centred Software (PCS), a live monitoring clinical care system.

Community Based Support (CBS), TAS - Supporting people who are frail-aged or are living with a disability through services that enable them to remain living independently at home, the way they choose, for as long as possible.

Little Wings Limited, NSW - Providing free, professional and safe air and ground transport services for sick children in rural and regional NSW.

Cyclabilities, ACT - Providing quality learning opportunities in recreational activities for children with disabilities or vulnerabilities.

Advance Rehab Centre, NSW - Providing outstanding patient care through its multidisciplinary neurological rehabilitation centre.

Justice Connect, NSW and VIC - Helping people and community organisations to access legal support by designing and delivering high-impact interventions.

Purple House, NT - Helping to get Indigenous dialysis patients home to country and providing a home away from home in Alice Springs.

Little Dreamers Australia, VIC - Empowering young people caring for a family member.

TAD, NSW - Changing the lives of people living with a disability by providing personalised technology, equipment and services.

Synapse, QLD - Providing a range of services, including specialist housing and support, for people who have been impacted by brain injury, including stroke and dementia.

Autism MATES, NSW - Supporting young people with autism through organising events; giving its members a platform from which to advocate and educate and fostering greater inclusion and representation.

Aged Care Services Team, Footprints in Brisbane, QLD - Providing outstanding support and care for older people through the Whole Meals initiative.

Wound Champions Team, Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) - Increasing awareness and knowledge of best-practice wound care across Southern Cross Care.

Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, Swinburne University of Technology, VIC - Providing outstanding mental health care and support for aged care residents.

RFDS Partnership Speech Team, VIC ( Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria, Robinvale District Health Service, Mallee Track Health and Community Service) - Improving access to speech pathology services for children and their families in rural Victorian communities.

PACE (Pulmonary and Cardiac Exercise and Education) Team, Alpine Health, VIC - Going above and beyond to deliver outstanding client care in the face of great challenges and adversity.

IDHS Allied Health Team, Inglewood & Districts Health Service, VIC - Innovation and collaboration to improve physical and mental health outcomes for residential aged care clients.

Tresillian 2U Mobile Early Parenting Service, Tresillian & Mid North Coast Local Health District, NSW - Innovative approach to delivering child and family health services to regional NSW.

The Plenty Project, Midlas, WA - Innovation in providing emergency food relief to communities in need.

Wongee Mia, Ruah Community Services, WA - Innovative pilot housing project designed to end the cycle of evictions and long-term homelessness disproportionately experienced by Aboriginal people.

Start Up, Challenge Community Services, NSW - Delivering an innovative self-employment program designed to support people living with intellectual disability and/or autism to become self-employed.

NeuroMoves, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia - Delivering exercise and therapy services for people with neurological conditions.

Sharon's 24/7 Support Team, Interchange, WA - Significant contribution to people living with disability, including providing support to start a new life at home and in the community after incarceration.

The Award winners will be announced on November 26. hestaawards.com.au