UnitingCare is a network of 400 caring agencies across the Uniting Church, which gives expression to the Church’s commitment to supporting individuals, families and communities by providing caring services. We strive to achieve best practice.

The Church is committed to working towards achieving that best practice. When an agency of the Church fails in its duty of care, the Church is unconditionally committed to working intensively with all available means to overturn bad practice and ensure the comfort and well being of people receiving care services.

This is exactly what has been happening at Moorfields Community for Adult Care over the last two months. When evidence of poor management and care outcomes became known to UnitingCare Victoria and also highlighted by the Federal Government’s Standards and Accreditation Agency, the Church immediately stepped in and took decisive action.

Management assistance and expertise was brought in from other areas of the Church, and systems put in place to address the problems. At the forefront of all this activity has been the need to ensure good care for residents. The Church kept residents and their families informed of the actions and involved them in discussion around ongoing care and management.

"High quality care is about good management, committed and well resourced staff and support from allied areas of expertise. The Church acted as soon as the Moorfields community concerns and complaints were realised and has worked non-stop to rectify the problems," said Libby Davies, National Director, UnitingCare Australia. "In particular:

? the Board and the CEO of Moorfields Community have been stood down by the Victorian Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia;

? An experienced and highly regarded person has been appointed as Commissioner in place of the Board; and ? Managers from excellently managed and best practice Uniting Church agencies have been seconded to Moorfields’ facilities to assist with immediate and ongoing management, working in conjunction with the Commissioner."

"UnitingCare supports the accreditation process to achieve high standards of care. We are working closely with residents, families, staff, and the relevant Government agencies to address and rectify the problems identified. Intensive work is occurring to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of our residents."