The dedication and quality care provided by a Townsville Mercy Community aged care team has been in the Ministerial spotlight this week.
Federal Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells visited Loreto Nursing Home, in Pimlico, on Tuesday (16 May) and was impressed with Loreto’s five-star residents’ survey results.
Originally built to care for ageing Sisters of Mercy, Loreto Nursing Home is a 36-bed residential high care facility for women which offers an intimate atmosphere, individual rooms, and personalised care.
Minister Wells said the survey results showed a real commitment from staff to take the very best care of residents.
In the survey, residents were asked questions about the care they received, whether the staff were kind and caring, whether they felt safe and was the food good?
During her visit, the Minister spent time talking with residents over lunch and met centenarian Nola McClymont, who recently received a letter from King Charles.
The Member for Mundingburra, Les Walker, later joined the Minister to tour the facility and discuss current challenges and opportunities in the aged care sector with Mercy Community General Manager Aged Care Services Janet Rhodes, Loreto Director of Nursing Michelle Yanner and four long-serving Loreto nurses.
Minister Anika Wells with Townsville centenarian Nola McClymont 16.5.23 Loretto visit
Long-serving Loreto Nursing Home team member Julianne Bullen Clinical Nurse Consultant 37 years’ service
Minister Wells congratulates Loreto Nurse Julianne Bullen
Pictured from left: Mercy Community General Manager - Aged Care Janet Rhodes, Suzanne Christiansen (AIN – 14 years’ service), Loreto Director of Nursing Michelle Yanner, Terese Poli (AIN - 10 years’ service), and Julianne Bullen (Clinical Nurse Consultant – 37 years’ service).
Ms Rhodes said Mercy Community’s aged care facilities had performed well in the Aged Care Star Ratings with teams in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville focused on continual improvement.
“Across the Mercy Community facilities, residents’ experiences were favourable as were our very good legislative compliance results,” she said.
“The results support the good work that all our team members do in all our aged care facilities every day to ensure our residents receive the best care possible.”
Long-serving nurses Julianne Bullen (Clinical Nurse Consultant – 37 years’ service), Fiona Bench (Assistant in Nursing (AIN) – 11 years’ service), Terese Poli (AIN – 10 years’ service), and Suzanne Christiansen (AIN – 14 years’ service) said their longevity at Loreto was due to having a supportive close-knit team, understanding family-friendly management and the beautiful residents.
“Being involved with the Sisters (of Mercy), and experiencing their kindness, support and comfort along life’s ups and downs has also been key,” Terese explained.
“Our managers, Julie and Michelle, are family-orientated and very dedicated.”
General media enquiries should be directed to media@mercycommunity.org.au
