Ms Andrea King1, Ms Kim Holmes2
1Brightwater Care Group, Inglewood, Australia, 2University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Biography:
Andrea oversees a 300 strong Allied Health workforce at Brightwater Care Group that supports people receiving aged care, disability support and ABI rehabilitation. Andrea as worked for nearly 3 decades in tertiary health across Melbourne and Perth as a physiotherapist and manager, specialising in neuro and late effects of disability, moving to the not-for-profit sector 7 years ago. Andrea leads her team to drive innovation and equity of service, to achieve best functional health outcomes. A core tenet of this is to develop and attract the future workforce, by understanding what the community needs.
Abstract:
The Lower Limb Foot Initiative is a collaborative partnership between Brightwater Care Group and the University of Western Australia (UWA) Podiatry Department, implementing student-led podiatry services within Brightwater residential aged care (RAC) setting. The presentation explores the multifaceted aspects of this initiative, which includes the delivery of direct podiatric care to RAC clients by podiatry students, providing them exposure to a range of diverse and complex health conditions, as well as offering opportunities for clients’ social enrichment. Additionally, the presentation investigates the role of these clinics in raising awareness of the importance of podiatry among RAC clients and staff, promoting a deeper understanding and enhancing accessibility to podiatry services.
Key issues under consideration include the challenges of delivering podiatry services within aged care settings, barriers to accessibility and the critical shortage of podiatrists in this expanding sector. The presentation also highlights the benefits of a regular weekly clinic embedded within Brightwater RAC, providing consistent accessibility. Furthermore, it explores the educational and professional advantages for podiatry students, who gain invaluable clinical experience while broadening their understanding of their role in multidisciplinary care.
The outcomes demonstrate a positive impact on both Brightwater RAC clients and UWA podiatry students, showcasing the potential for this model to inspire future podiatrists to pursue careers in aged care. The conclusion emphasises the need for expanded implementation of such initiatives to bridge service gaps, improve foot health outcomes, and attract talent to this vital yet under-resourced field.