Council has responded to a spot accreditation review in September by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, which judged Blue Haven had met 33 of the 44 new criteria, with 11 unmet.

“For a couple of them we provided additional documentation that we just didn’t have on the day, when things had to be produced in the next 30 minutes,” says CEO Jane Stroud, who participated in the accreditation review.

“I am still hopeful that we might see that number reduced further. 

“By and large our response has been we will accept the Commissioner’s call and acknowledge that the 11 need to be added into our continuous improvement plan to strengthen the work that we will continue to do.

“I think the team did exceptionally well to get that result.”

The unmet criteria are spread across the eight standards, rather than indicating a critical shortfall in one particular area.

Blue Haven’s Interim Chief Operating Officer Joe Gaudiosi says, “Overall, this is a very positive result and management and staff are pleased.

“Since the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, and the ever-increasing focus on compliance and regulation, visits like this are part-and-parcel of running an aged care business and, while they add complexity to our operations, we welcome the higher standards that have ensued.

Blue Haven’s Interim Chief Operating Officer Joe Gaudiosi

“While we have some work to do with 11 un-mets, this is a positive result, given the context of the past two years which has been challenging on many fronts, and the past eight months of high staff turnover, volatility and shortage across management and care staff.”

The unannounced assessments happen every three years, and are necessary for accreditation. Council is now awaiting a response from the Commission confirming its accreditation.

While the old aged care facility at Havilah Place met all of the old 44 standards in 2018, it was acknowledged at the time that the building was outdated and unable to be upgraded to meet new standards. This was the impetus for the building of the new facility on the old hospital site.

“It is a different world these days,” says Ms Stroud.

“Post-Royal Commission it is so rare to get 100 per cent.”