Date: 21 September 2015

Staff and residents from our Easton Park home recently welcomed eleven paramedic students as part of a week-long innovative educational program where the students experienced first hand how residential aged care works.

The program builds an understanding between paramedics and our aged care staff to create a progressive-thinking, multi-skilled healthcare system that works together to deliver the very best care to older Australians.

The program was developed in partnership with the University of Tasmania (UTAS), and this is the third year Whiddon has hosted the paramedic students, with 67 students completing their placements to date.

The paramedic students shared their perceptions of aged care at the beginning and end of their placements, with perceptions changing considerably during the course of the week.

Many of the students commented that their eyes were opened to the reailty of aged care, and that paramedics often do not understand the challenges faced by aged care staff when dealing with an emergency.

During the intensive training, students undertook lectures on specific aged care education and practical skills tests. The students teamed up with an experienced registered nurse and leisure officer, and were encouraged to engage with residents as much as possible. This included taking part in the Men’s Morning and Sing-a-Long programs, Bingo, exercise sessions and leisure activities with residents living with dementia.

Our Director Care Services in Easton Park, Muriel Dalmasso, finds the program extremely beneficial, saying “We always look forward to welcoming paramedic students to Easton Park. This program is a fantastic way to strengthen the relationship between residential aged care and paramedic teams.”

“It gives paramedics great insight into how complex and interesting residential aged care services actually are. It also helps our team understand the unique challenges paramedics face.”

“We look forward to continuing this relationship into the future and welcoming more paramedic students at the Whiddon Group Easton Park,” she said.

The paramedic students thanked us for the opportunity, saying that they learned a great deal and that the experience was one that will stay with them throughout the rest of their careers. They also created a ‘mood board’ of compliments regarding the program, with comments including ‘Whiddon staff genuinely care about what is best for their residents,’ adding that we create a homely environment and consider the resident’s wants, needs and beliefs, and provide person-centred care.

Whiddon Easton Park looks forward to continuing with the program next year and accepting placements for paramedic students through their partnership with UTAS.