A Partnership Story
Andrea King Reveals the Keys to Brightwater and Unicare's Successful Aged Care Partnership
In the heart of aged care, a remarkable partnership has flourished between Brightwater Care Group and Unicare Health. Recently, we spoke with Andrea King, Allied Health Manager at Brightwater, who highlighted the key success factors contributing to this successful collaboration.
Clinical Benefits, Fair Pricing and Quality
When asked about Brightwater's choice of Unicare as a key equipment supplier, Andrea highlighted their rigorous selection process. "Brightwater has a robust and well-governed Equipment Review Committee which ensures that our equipment selection is the best for the needs of our clients and staff," she explained. "Unicare products feature extensively on our approved equipment list, due to their consistent clinical application benefits, fair pricing and good quality."
Empowering Staff Through Education
This partnership has yielded significant benefits for Brightwater's care delivery. Andrea emphasized, "Unicare have extensive clinical expertise in their team, and we have worked a lot with them to educate our staff on best practices in relation to pressure care, positioning, and enabling clients to be as independent as possible utilising well chosen and prescribed equipment." This focus on empowerment aligns perfectly with the growing emphasis on senior independence in aged care.
Innovative Support Services that Make a Difference
Unicare's unique offerings, such as free equipment trials and training opportunities, have had a tangible impact on Brightwater's delivery of care. " These services have been absolutely beneficial," Andrea affirmed. "Unicare support our teams well to use the equipment to its full potential – it is never a problem to get their input and support in trialling equipment or troubleshooting a complex resident situation."
Navigating Challenges with Collaboration
No partnership is without its hurdles, but Andrea appreciates Unicare's responsiveness to feedback. "Unicare are always keen and willing to take feedback," she noted. "When we've had miscommunication, or difficulty getting a consistent contact person for our therapists when seeking information, they've responded positively."
Celebrating Milestones in Partnership
As with any partnership, some moments stand out. For Andrea, one such moment was the recent rollout of a large bed replacement program."It was a complex operation, yet Unicare managed it with such diligence," she recalled. "They ensured that our clients and staff experienced minimal disruption throughout the process." This level of care exemplifies the dedication both organizations have toward each other and those they serve.
Envisioning a Collaborative Future
Looking ahead, Andrea envisions an "open and generous" partnership. "I want my allied health team to have a seamless, trusting communication line to tap into any new technology or clinical expertise with Unicare, while maintaining a contained and well serving equipment list for our organisation." This forward-thinking approach aligns with the sector's ongoing efforts to upskill its workforce and improve health outcomes for older Australians.
Acknowledging Key Contributors to Success
Andrea recognizes several Unicare team members for their exceptional support: "Victoria, Callum, Curtis, Jonathon, Annette, and Illissa have all been super helpful." This partnership between Brightwater and Unicare exemplifies a shared commitment to enhancing senior care through innovative solutions and unwavering support. With visionaries like Andrea leading the way, the future of aged care looks promising indeed.
