It’s not every day that a boutique privately-owned business can say they have achieved the Rainbow Tick Accreditation. Today, when thousands of revellers fill Sydney’s inner city Oxford Street to celebrate diversity and What Matters as part of the iconic Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, NurseWatch will also celebrate their endorsement by Quality Innovation Performance (QIP) on behalf of Rainbow Tick Victoria as an accredited LGBTI inclusive organisation.
One of only 39 other organisations in Australia, the second in Sydney and the only privately-owned company in NSW to have currently achieved this national benchmark of inclusive care, NurseWatch’s commitment to being an LGBTI inclusive organisation that offers consistently inclusive and quality care was commended by the independent assessors at QIP in their Accreditation Report on 25 February 2020.
“NurseWatch has undertaken a substantial amount of work to prepare for the Rainbow Tick Accreditation process. Systems and activities are well integrated. Staff and contractors demonstrated a good understanding of the specific issues and needs of the LGBTI community. Of note are the following strengths: The provision of a welcoming, safe and healthy workplace for all staff and contractors including acknowledging diversity, and activities and initiates to promote inclusion, the excellent suite of policies and procedures that have been developed with the safety and inclusion of the LGBTI community in mind, the organisation’s commitment to keeping abreast of current trends in the field of LGBTI inclusive service provision, the organisation’s ability to network and partner with relevant entities, the organisation’s status as ACON Foundation Members of Pride In Health+Wellbeing.”
Celebratory message from Claire Allen, National Program Manager, Pride in Health + Wellbeing, ACON Pride Inclusion Programs
“Pride in Health +Wellbeing are extremely proud of Kate and NurseWatch in achieving Rainbow Tick accreditation. Despite being a smaller boutique health care organisation, NurseWatch became Foundation Members of Pride in Health + Wellbeing in 2017 and have leapt at every opportunity to become LGBT-inclusive in their care. Kate and her team are actively involved in promoting person-centred care that is fully inclusive of the LGBT community and Kate is an active member of the Pride in Health+Wellbeing Advisory Group. I am so pleased NurseWatch have taken advantage of the support provided to them through their membership in our program and that I could support Kate in the accreditation process. NurseWatch are the only privately owned member of Pride in Health + Wellbeing to achieve Rainbow Tick accreditation and join fellow foundation member, Uniting in setting the standard of inclusive care that all of our members can aspire to.”
Celebratory message from Jami Jones, Manager-Education & Engagement, Rainbow Health Victoria (formerly GLHV), Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University
“It takes more than a rainbow sticker to make LGBTIQ people feel safe. LGBTIQ people need services that promise we see you, we hear you, and we always seek to provide you with the best possible care.
Rainbow Tick is a world-first quality framework to help organisations become safe and inclusive for the LGBTIQ community. Organisations with the Rainbow Tick have worked hard to be safe and inclusive for our communities.”
A founder committed to inclusive and safe health care for all
Kate Spurway, Founder and CEO, NurseWatch has always believed in and practised quality health care for every member of the community. With her many friends in the LGBTI community, Kate is a natural ally and wanted to ensure NurseWatch offered a safe and inclusive wellness and care service that was tailored to the needs of older LGBTI clients. She has processes in place to ensure every member of the NurseWatch team is trained in inclusive care practices and shares her values of respect, kindness, compassion and inclusive quality care.
Why the Rainbow Tick?
“I chose to embark on the process of getting the Rainbow Tick as it was imperative for NurseWatch to ensure from the get go that we have a proven culture of inclusion and that we embrace diversity.”
What does the Rainbow Tick mean to you as the founder of NurseWatch?
“We have the systems and processes in place to provide inclusive service delivery, and that we are responsive and understanding of the needs of everyone we come in contact with.”
What does the Rainbow Tick mean to NurseWatch?
“We have been independently assessed and formally accredited and that we are committed to inclusive practice and service delivery.”
Why do you think inclusion is important?
“Inclusion is crucial to growing and sustaining NurseWatch, all businesses and our workforce. It creates happier employees who will offer the best level of care possible. When everyone feels included, morale goes up and output increases. Diversity is nothing without an inclusive workplace culture and we celebrate and recognise the uniqueness of every one of our team, colleagues and clients every day.”
About the Rainbow Tick
The Rainbow Tick consists of six standards (Organisational Capability, Workforce Development, Consumer participation, A welcoming and accessible organisation, Disclosure and documentation and Culturally safe and acceptable services) against which services can be formally accredited to demonstrate LGBTI inclusive practice and service delivery.
Get in contact
NurseWatch offer premium quality wellness and personalised care services in the home and in the office for all members of our wonderfully diverse community. Inclusive care is at the heart of every area of our business.
To access our LGBTIQ+ Concierge Service and book a complimentary Health Assessment with a tailored Health Care Plan, book here.
To explore the type of tailored Wellness and Care Program we can offer yourself, your employees or your loved ones, so that you can all live your best life at any stage of your health journey, contact Kate Spurway directly on 0417 276 572 or email kate@nursewatch.com.au.
If you’d like Kate Spurway to present at one of your events on inclusive care, email kate@nursewatch.com.au.
To stay in touch with the latest insights from Kate Spurway and NurseWatch, feel free to connect with Kate Spurway on LinkedIn here, follow NurseWatch on Facebook here or follow NurseWatch on Instagram here.
To understand more about the importance of Rainbow Tick accreditation as a benchmark for inclusive care & business, visit their website here.
To enquire about joining us as a member of Pride in Health + Wellbeing, visit their website here or contact Claire Allen directly on 0419 583 034, via LinkedIn here or email callen@acon.org.au. You can view our Foundation Member profile here.
You’re always welcome at www.nursewatch.com.au
