Chances are, if you are in the aged care or disability serve industry, you would have heard about this.
‘Buurtzorg’
The word is from the Dutch language and is made from two words combined. Buurt – meaning neighbourhood and Zorg – meaning care. Together they are interpreted as Neighbourhood Care.
Buurtzorg is a highly successful home care organisation. They have made headlines around the world for their innovative use of independent nurse teams in delivering high quality care with relatively low costs.
The model concept delivers high quality care at reduced costs. It is a carer-led model where empowerment is provided by making the most of the clients’ existing capabilities, resources and environment and emphasising self management. The model is highly geared around self support and highly skilled and qualified care workers.
While this may mean higher costs per hour for labour, the result can be fewer hours in total. By changing the model of care, it has been shown that Buurtzorg, the originating organisation, has accomplished a 50 percent reduction in hours of care, improved quality of care and raised work satisfaction for staff.
The challenge for Australia comes about from the typical form of low-skill, low cost staffing models and by demonstrating how a high-skill professional model can deliver greater efficiency. Australia’s typical staffing models have been dominating disability, health and aged care systems for many years. What to overcome locally is to understand how overseas high-skill professional models can deliver greater overall efficiency and have that applied in Australia.
Care workers are supported by a simple but systematic approach by the organisation with easy to use IT technology to facilitate “real time” information that is directly connected to the care process and reduces any administrative overheads.
More information http://www.future-proof.com.au/buurtzorg-australia/
