Jump to Content

Iona (a Presbyterian Support Otago Enliven home)

At a glance
Vacancy
Yes
Name
Iona (a Presbyterian Support Otago Enliven home)
Category
Hospital
Address
549 Thames Highway
Oamaru
Oamaru 9400
Postal Address
549 Thames Highway
Oamaru North
Oamaru 9400
Region
Southern (Otago)
Phone
View Phone Number
Fax
View Fax Number
Email
View Email Address
Web
Visit Website
Facebook
Find us on Facebook
Personnel
Manager
Stephenie Leith - (03) 437 1870
Owner
Presbyterian Support Otago - (03) 477 7115
Other services
Photos
gallery image 1
Tap to view all photos 1/3
Visitors as usual (but not if you're unwell or recently returned from overseas)
Iona a ‘Michelin Star’ Home

The Ministry of Health has awarded Iona with what Presbyterian Support Otago believes is something equivalent to the restaurant trade’s three year Michelin Star status.

“This four year certification means our wonderful staff members and volunteers are providing the very best care and service to residents and their families. The independent auditors say we are an industry leader in residential services for older people – what kudos,” Iona’s Manager Stephenie Leith said on hearing the news.(Jan 2015)

“I couldn’t be more proud than if I’d won lotto,” she added. “The auditors’ interviews with residents and families revealed that our valuing lives philosophy of care really does make a difference to how residents enjoy living here, and that must be a real comfort to families.”
This four year accreditation was awarded again from their subsequent audit in 2019.

Iona residents have many options as to how they spend their days. They can go out whenever they want, receive visitors at any time to suit them, eat meals at times they prefer, and enjoy individual hobbies or group activities whenever the whim arises.

Iona currently has rooms available for respite and permanent residents, and palliative care is also offered. Staff members have specific training in supporting a person and their family during this time.

The Manager or a member of her senior team is always available to answer questions about Iona and the various levels of care offered. Iona’s phone number is Oamaru 437 1870.

Iona has a Presbyterian foundation and people from all backgrounds and nationalities are welcome.
The complex is beautifully positioned in very large park like grounds in the north of the town, is very much part of the Oamaru community. It is set back from the busy road and residents love to watch the world go by from the comfort of the lounges. Offering a wide range of services, its rest home and hospital rooms are always in demand.
The staff does all it can to help residents and families experience a good transition to living at Iona, and welcomes family input into creating the right ‘personal feel’ for their loved one.

Enliven - Vaccination Policy
In line with Government requirements and PSO’s commitment to health and safety, all Enliven staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated. We would prefer that all residents are vaccinated, and we can facilitate this for those who are not yet vaccinated.

Iona also offers:
12 rental independent living units which are valuable is assisting the older person make the transition from living in their own home to living in Iona’s home when the need arises.
Independent living options are also offered via Columba Court, a cluster of 7 one-bedroom units on the south side on Oamaru.
Service/Facility Details
Service/Facility Details
Detail Status
Contract with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Yes
Certification Yes
ORA Applies No

Updated: 8 Apr 2013

Bed and Vacancy Details
Bed and Vacancy Details
Detail Status
Approximate number of beds at this level of care 37
Vacancy Yes
1
Impending vacancy No
Short stay considered No
Premium Accommodation Charges Some Rooms from $22.00/day up to $28.00/day as at 04 Dec 2024
MOH Certification and Audit Report View MOH certification and audit report (opens in a new tab)
Extra admission requirements due to COVID-19 Please enquire

Updated: 4 Dec 2024

Personnel
Personnel
Type Hours Per Week Status Details
Registered Nurse Yes Iona has Registered Nurse coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Manager is a RN and holds a current annual Practising Certificate
Enrolled Nurse Yes
Physiotherapist Yes Contracted in
Activities Co-ordinator Yes
Hairdresser Yes We have our own hairdresser
Podiatrist Yes Contracted in
Dietitian Yes
Accredited Visitors Yes Iona has it's own experienced volunteer team to assist where and when needed
Kaumatua Yes
Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor Yes

Updated: 20 Aug 2018

Specialities or Areas of Expertise
Specialities or Areas of Expertise
Specialities or Areas of Expertise Status Details
Oxygen Management Yes
Gastronomy/Nasogastric Management Yes
End of Life/Palliative Care Yes
IV Antibiotic Capability Yes
Wound Care Yes
Diabetic Care Yes
Continence Advice Yes
Infection Control Yes
Clinical Management Yes Clinical Manager

Updated: 20 Aug 2018

Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay
Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay
Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay Status Details
Respite Yes We have a District Health Board contract to provide respite care
Carer Support No We have a District Health Board contract to provide carer support short stay care
Subsidised Yes
Private Paying Yes
Booking can be made in advance Yes

Updated: 9 Jul 2012

Features
Features
Feature Status Details
May Bring Own Furniture Yes
Single Rooms Yes
Rooms suitable for a couple No Adjoining rooms with shared ensuite
Ensuite Yes Limited number
Alcohol Permitted Yes
Pets In Residence Yes
Negotiate To Bring Own Pet Yes By Arrangement
Phone Access In Own Room Yes
Resident can adjust heating in own room Yes
Cater for under 65 yrs with Disability Yes
Lounges/seating areas Yes
Palliative Care Contract Yes
Outings Yes
Residents Committee Yes
Policy for management of challenging behaviour Yes
Confused Residents Yes
Smoking Permitted No Outdoors
Semi-Secure Yes

Updated: 9 Jul 2012

Special Features
Special Features
Because we believe in providing the best care possible for our Hospital residents, our staffing levels are at the higher end for this sector.

We place great emphasis on thorough orientation and on-going training for all staff, and support them when undertaking nationally recognised sector-specific qualifications. The percentage of staff passing such qualifications is increasing annually.

Because we focus on ensuring residents maintaining their current levels of fitness and functioning physically as well as is possible, we have a very high level of physiotherapy input into care plans – something unique in residential care.

We continually invest in our facilities so that there is a high level of equipment such as hoists, special beds etc. Equipment-wise, our facilities are very well provided for.

We are moving to implement the Liverpool Care Pathway for end of life care. This is internationally recognised as being ‘best practice’ in terms of palliative care.

Iona's exceedingly high standard of meals is always commented on by residents and visitors alike, as is the friendliness of the staff and volunteers.

All Presbyterian Support Otago residences have a policy of valuing the lives of older people, and this is reflected in the many services and facilities offered.

Iona is purpose-built and maintained to a high level, and residents have plenty of room in which to enjoy the wide range of activities continually available to them.

Updated: 28 Jul 2010

Interests & Activities
Interests & Activities
Maintaining regular social and community activity our individual residents had before moving to Iona, is encouraged. We believe residents should maintain the connection they had with their family, friends and community, and will do all we can to ensure those connections are kept.

In-house, we have an extensive activities programme that includes exercise, quiz sessions, newspaper readings, guest speakers and entertainers, and Happy Hour is a very popular event.

There is great emphasis on outings, undertaken in comfortable vans, with events ranging from concerts to garden visits.

Some residents prefer to undertake hobbies and interests privately, or on a one-to-one basis, and we are happy to accommodate them

Updated: 28 Jul 2010

Additional Information
Additional Information
Topic Details
What's included in your fees and what's not Details are discussed at initial meetings
Staffing qualifications and details All Presbyterian Support Otago homes have multi-disciplinary teams with staff focused on providing respectful, quality care to residents.
Details about meals All reasonable steps are taken to ensure residents have their food preferences respected. A dietician oversees the nutritional value of every meal and our highly experienced cooks create attractive meals from in-house commercial kitchens.
Associated Complexes Elmslie House Home & Hospital, Holmdene Home & Hospital, Ranui Home & Hospital, Ross Home & Hospital, St Andrews Home & Hospital, Taieri Court Rest Home,Wanaka Retirement Village and Enliven Otago (Presbyterian Support) - Help for Those at Home

Updated: 20 Aug 2018

Languages Spoken
Languages Spoken
Language Status Details
English Yes
Fijian Indian Yes
Filipino Yes including Bisaya
Hindi Yes
Malayalam Yes
Māori - Te Reo Yes
Tagalog Yes
Tongan Yes
Other Information Yes Enliven Services are proud to employ many international staff. We are therefore able to offer a variety of languages, which do change and increase from time-to-time

Updated: 30 Aug 2018

Religious/Spiritual Affiliations
Religious/Spiritual Affiliations
Religious/Spiritual Affiliations Status Details
(Other comments) Yes Iona has a Presbyterian foundation and people of all cultures and nationalities are welcome.

Updated: 28 Jul 2010

Distances
Distances
Location Distance Details
Public Transport Public transport can be arranged
Shops 5.00 Km Oamaru's main shopping centre is about 5kms south of Iona and out bus regularly takes residents in to shop.
Mall Collected and delivered on the premises
Parks Nearby
Library Nearby

Updated: 28 Jul 2010

Credentials & Membership
Credentials & Membership
Credentials & Membership RC Status Details
National Certificate in Diversional Therapy Yes Our Activities staff are able to complete the Community facilitation apprenticeship - Diversional therapy strand level 4. This qualification supersedes National Certificate in Diversional Therapy level
Aged Care Association New Zealand (ACA) Yes
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) Yes
Registered Retirement Village? Yes Columba Court on South Hill at Oamaru is a small retirement village of seven units
Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand [Inc] (RVA) Yes
Other details Yes The Enliven Principles of Activity, Contribution, Choice, Relationships, Respect and Security underpins all services at Iona
Aged Care Association New Zealand (ACA) Registered Retirement Village? Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand [Inc] (RVA)

Updated: 20 Aug 2018


The Ministry of Health conducts regular audits of Residential Care Facilities. They can be found HERE.