18 October 2010
CURRUMBIN CLINIC RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR AN INNOVATIVE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING MENTAL ILLNESS
Currumbin Clinic has tonight taken home the 2010 APHA/Baxter Ambulatory Care Award for an innovative approach to weight management for people suffering mental illness.
Currumbin Clinic was recognised for its ‘Portion Perfection Plate,’ a guide to correct portion sizes for inpatients to manage weight. The program was developed to provide an effective and innovative weight management program based on sound nutrition principles and current portion control research.
A consultant dietitian at Currumbin Clinic developed an innovative portion control system for main meals by using a unique printed plate that has correct serving sizes on it. The plate is divided into ¼ protein, ¼ carbohydrates and ½ to salad or low starch vegetables. The outcome has been positive for the inpatients at Currumbin with a 48% reduction in the number of patients experiencing unwanted weight gain during their stay.
“Unexpected and unwanted weight gain is a well known side effect of many psychotropic medications for patients who are treated for mental illness,” said Michael Roff, Chief Executive Officer of APHA. “This weight gain can cause psychological distress and a reluctance to continue medications, which is why the success of this innovative program at Currumbin Clinic impressed the judges.”
The aim of the Ambulatory Care Award is to recognize those private hospital facilities nationally that have excelled in the provision of clinical treatment and demonstrated excellence in patient care in an ambulatory care setting.
Other award categories and winners presented this evening at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney were: St Andrew’s Hospital Adelaide won the APHA/Baxter Award for Clinical Excellence. Tamara Private Hospital in Tamworth won the 2010 APHA/Baxter Award for Community Involvement. Sydney Adventist Hospital won a Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Service Provision to International Communities for its HealthCare Outreach Program.
Media contact for interviews with the winners or more background on any of their winning projects: Lisa Ramshaw, APHA Director, Communications & Marketing on 0413 971 999
The APHA/Baxter Awards for Quality and Excellence are sponsored by Baxter Healthcare
