A state-of-the-art centre that connects advanced technology and training with the experience of older people has won a major award for innovation.
The Juniper Simulation Centre in Bentley is a pioneering project that is helping meet the growing needs of an ageing population by providing high quality clinical learning experiences for care and health professionals of the future. Juniper is a Uniting Church WA agency and a leading provider of retirement housing, home care support and residential care services in the aged care industry.
It received the prestigious Innovation in Clinical Supervision award at the WA Clinical Supervision Awards 2015 held at the State Reception Centre last night.
Created by Juniper in partnership with Curtin University the Juniper Simulation Centre is a highly functional recreation of an older person’s living spaces, where activities of daily living and care can be enacted and analysed in adjacent training rooms, in real time.
“By bringing together experienced care professionals, educators and students, the Juniper Simulation Centre is facilitating excellence in clinical care, development of new models of care and shared learnings that will translate into great benefits for residents and clients,” Juniper chief operating officer, David Fisher, said.
“Our clinicians gain valuable skills for the workplace and hundreds of health sciences students experience the centre each year.”
“The facility is unique in its engagement with older volunteers; we believe no other training facility of its kind draws on a volunteer workforce to support training and development in a simulated clinical setting.”
The Centre is complemented by the nearby Juniper Annesley care facility, where the organisation is forging a Centre of Excellence for Aged Care in partnership with Curtin University.
Emerging as a model for best practice in residential aged care, Juniper Annesley is helping secure a workforce of the future and supporting sector career opportunities, where aged care is considered a more attractive option for healthcare trainees and graduates.
Ultimately both projects are helping boost clinical capabilities and bring greater levels of care and support to our residents who not only enjoy immensely the interactions with students and staff, but are receiving benefits that help them live a good life.
Image: Juniper carers practice techniques in the centre.