Date: 17 October 2014

Whiddon has been recognised as an aged care industry leader with a 2014 Better Practice Award in the ‘Health and Personal Care’ category, which it received for being the first Australian aged care provider to implement a systematic Client Death Screening process.

The initiative, developed by Whiddon’s General Manager Clinical Risk, Llyr Otto, encourages continuous improvement and will ensure Whiddon remains at the forefront of best practice in end of life care. Ms Otto, who has over 25 years experience in the health and aged care industries, developed the process in response to the NSW Coroner’s recommendation that all deaths in aged care be reviewed. ‘I am passionate about being transparent, as well ensuring the care we offer is the very best it can be for our clients, and Death Screening is an integral part of this,’ said Ms Otto.

To ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach is taken, Whiddon’s Death Screening Initiative provides a strict framework for screening. A senior Whiddon clinician examines client records against a strict set of criteria, including those outlined in the Coroners Act (NSW), and if needed, a more detailed investigation is undertaken. The whole process is completed within 14 days. Findings are then used to identify and develop systems to improve the quality of the end of life care Whiddon provides. ‘I feel very proud that I could work with the clinical teams at Whiddon to implement this initiative,’ said Ms Otto.