Social media is becoming the catchphrase of our era. Changes in how we communicate are happening fast and a lack of experience in dealing with the benefits and risks means managers are having to feel their way. Did you know that organisations are now liable for what appears on their Facebook pages – whether they wrote it or it was written by someone external?

Welcome to Elvira Caporn, the newest Quality Partner, who's recently transferred from  CommunityWest’s Sector Development department. In total, she has been with CommunityWest for over four and a half years and has a broad range of skills to contribute.

What are some of the trends that you don't want to follow? The Quality Reviewers have identified a number of areas that are emerging as trends at Quality Reviews that are resulting in improvement opportunities. These are in areas such as: how organisations respond to 'non response' by clients; medication training; and for metropolitan service providers only - support plans not being fully completed. Does your organisation need to review or address any of these areas?

All HACC service providers have to complete and return an Improvement Plan following their Quality Review. This plan is a concrete demonstration of how the organisation has managed the ongoing pursuit and progress of Continuous Improvement activities. Find out more about this formal process and how it works.

Recently CommunityWest experienced staff movement which meant a reorganisation of scheduled visits. Thank you to those service providers who assisted us by agreeing to change the dates and times for your Quality Review.

If you are reviewing and working through your Improvement Plan do you have self identified improvements (‘SI’)  indicated on this document?

Do you have your copies of the WAAF Policy Statements released by the Aged and Continuing Care Directorate in November 2012? Find out how to source them quickly and easily.

Read about a former CommunityWest Quality Reviewer’s experience of undergoing a Quality Review in their new role as a service provider. Kerry Hathaway from Kalamunda HACC shares their story.

Thank you to Sandy Featherstonhaugh, Quality Consultant - Community Services at Southern Cross Care who very honestly shared her organisation’s experience of the joint quality review process.

We extend a warm welcome to Cheryl Cartlidge, our newest Quality Partner, who will soon become a familiar visitor to WA HACC service providers undergoing Quality Reviews. Prior to her appointment with CommunityWest, Cheryl worked for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) for several years.