In September 1989 Ree Pettifer released her report and final recommendation to The Hon. J. Jackson, Minister for Community Services. As the Minister for Health and Human Services from 1998 to 2002, Judy was instrumental in deinstitutionalising of mental health and disablity services at Willow Court Centre/ Royal Derwent Hospital.
Ree Pettifer was asked to prepare a report “Review of Clinical Nursing Practice Institutional Living Program Willow Court Centre. This report has never been publicly available. Below are the recommendations from the report.
SUMMARY OF: RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. that priority be given to the environmental needs of the residents of Esperance House.
2. that a written maintenance ‘program be developed for each house and surrounds.
3. that maintenance requirements be classified and prioritised in accordance with the overall development plans for Willow Court Centre.
4. that routine surveillance for maintenance be undertaken and a preventative maintenance program be developed.
5. that essential furniture and personal needs of residents of each house be assessed and appropriate action taken
6. that the daily routine on each house be reviewed and adjusted to reflect a culturally normative “rhythm of life”.
7. that the laundering service is urgently re-examined with due consideration to the establishment of a properly equipped personal clothing section including a dry cleaning service.
8. that regular review of the menus be conducted in consultation with a dietician.
9 that progress toward the maintenance and re-establishment of family contacts be continued.
10. that consideration be given to the establishment of a resident advocacy program.
11. that the restrictions imposed on freedom of movement in each house be reviewed in accordance with individual resident needs.
12. that a medical records consultant be engaged to advise on the format and maintenance of the medical records system.
13. that individual continence programs be developed for residents and appropriate aids utilised.
14 that an active Occupational Health and Safety Committee be established and regular surveillance undertaken.
15. that the Infection Control Committee include standards pertaining to all sanitation techniques within the policy and procedure manual.
16. that regular surveillance of infection control practices be undertaken and pertinent findings submitted to appropriate personnel.
17. that emergency evacuation procedures be rehearsed at least once a year.
18. that a balance between individual, ward, centre and leisure programs be established and appropriate in-service programs for staff developed and implemented.
19. that a philosophy, long term and short term objectives be developed in accordance with the philosophy of Willow Court Centre.
20. that objectives for each committee be developed and that appropriate evaluation of the committees activities be measured on an annual basis.
21. that meetings be held with various categories of staff at regular intervals.
22. that the Director of Nursing be involved in the development of the budget for the Institutional Living Program.
23. that senior nursing staff be encouraged to undertake management training.
24. that review of the nursing staff establishment and staff skill mix be undertaken in conjunction with a review of the responsibilities and tasks of the various categories of staff.
25. that clearly defined policies for the allocation and rostering of staff be developed.
26. that consideration be given to undertaking negotiation between unions and management in regard to the two-on, two-off twelve hour shift pattern.
27. that a review of the current staff appraisal.
28. that a review of the current staff appraisal system be undertaken.
29. that trials be undertaken to determine appropriate modalities of care delivery.
30. that a complete review of the nursing documentation system be undertaken.
31. that a policy committee for the Institutional Living Program be established with representation from all categories of nursing staff.
32 that appropriate review and follow up of all accidents, errors and serious disruptive incidents be undertaken on a regular basis.
33. that an appropriate in-service education program be developed and implemented.
34. that a Quality Assurance Committee be established to develop an appropriate quality assurance program for the Institutional Living Program.