OSCAR Care Group & Clinic

04/12/2025

We channelled our inner Christmas elves this week at OSCAR Care Group with our Christmas Desk Decorating Competition — and the creativity was NEXT LEVEL!

From desks wrapped head-to-toe like giant presents, to full-blown North Pole scenes complete with lights, tinsel, stockings, and festive surprises… our team absolutely delivered. Every team member transformed their space in a different way, creating a collection of Christmas-themed setups throughout the office.

Big congrats to our Lead Dietitian, Kiarra, who went full North Pole mode and took out the win. The gingerbread candle, twinkling lights and festive bells were the perfect finishing touches.

Check out the reel to see these festive masterpieces in action — they’re seriously amazing!

A massive shoutout to the entire OSCAR Care Group team for going all-in on the fun. Your energy, creativity, and commitment to spreading Christmas cheer made this competition an absolute blast.

Let us know your favourite in the comments 👇

Merry Christmas from all of us at OSCAR Care Group!

02/12/2025

Today is International Day of People with Disabilities! 🧡

We are proud to say that OSCAR Care Group is a registered NDIS Provider. Today and everyday, we celebrate the uniqueness in each individual and know that small acts of kindness make a world of difference. Let's create an inclusive and diverse community.

25/11/2025

21/11/2025

The Aged Care Strengthened Quality Standards are raising the bar especially around food and nutrition. Standard 6 now explicitly requires nutritious, appetising meals, menu variety, and a dining experience that supports residents’ preferences and dignity.

Aged care homes have had months to prepare for the Strengthened Quality Standards. Yet 3 weeks after coming into effect (1 November), many nutrition concerns are being raised.

Our Lead Dietitian, Kiarra explores these nutritional concerns and has created a checklist to help your aged care home work through the Strengthened Quality Standards.

Read the full checklist here: https://www.oscarcaregroup.com.au/post/aged-care-nutrition-checklist-for-the-strengthened-quality-standards

14/11/2025

Does putting food back in the fridge reset the 2-hour/4-hour rule?

The 2-hour/4-hour rule is cumulative, time adds up, it doesn’t reset when food is put back in the fridge. This is especially important when preparing sandwiches, salads, or finger foods in aged care or childcare settings.
For example, if sliced meats, cheese, or egg fillings are left on the bench for one hour during preparation, then another hour later for serving, that’s already two hours in the danger zone (5°C–60°C). After two hours, the food must be used immediately but once it reaches four hours total, it must be thrown away. Working with small batches helps keep ingredients cold and reduces waste.

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13/11/2025

Is the three-second rule real.

Bacteria can transfer onto the surface of the food instantly when it hits the floor. No length of time will change this. If food has fallen on the floor, throw it out.

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13/11/2025

🌱 Love your sprouts?🌱 Cooking them thoroughly before eating reduces the risk.

👉 Remember:
• People with low immunity should never eat raw or lightly cooked sprouts.
• Avoid any sprout that's dark in colour or smells musty.
• For packaged sprouts, choose crisp looking ones, preferably from the fridge.
• If growing sprouts, be aware that even the most hygienic of conditions will not ensure the sprouts are bacteria free.

ℹ️ For more on sprouts, see: foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumer/special-care-foods/sprouts

12/11/2025

Does Wearing gloves mean you don’t need to wash your hands?

Gloves can be just as contaminated as bare hands, or worse. Once you touch fridge handles, drawers, benches, or phones, your gloves are contaminated. If you then handle food, bacteria can easily transfer onto ready-to-eat items.

Wearing gloves can create a false sense of safety. Always wash your hands before putting gloves on and after removing them. Change gloves between tasks and never wear the same pair when handling raw and cooked foods.

If gloves touch common areas or equipment, they must be changed immediately.

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11/11/2025

Must Eggs always be kept in the fridge?

Refrigeration helps eggs stay fresh, but the need to refrigerate depends on how they were stored before purchase. In Australia, some eggs are sold cold, while others are kept at room temperature. Whole, uncracked eggs have a natural protective coating (the cuticle) that prevents bacteria like Salmonella from entering.

If eggs were kept in the fridge by the supplier or during transport, they should remain refrigerated to prevent condensation when warmed. Moisture on the shell can help bacteria move inside the egg. If the eggs were sold from a shelf at room temperature, it’s fine to store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Regardless of how they are stored, always refrigerate cracked or pooled eggs, and cook eggs thoroughly, especially for vulnerable people.

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10/11/2025

Does frozen food last forever?

Freezing food extends its life but doesn’t make it last forever. Over time, frozen food can lose quality, texture, and taste, and may even become unsafe if stored for too long or improperly sealed.

Regularly check and label frozen food with the date of freezing and contents.

Follow safe timeframes: cooked meals are best used within three months, raw meat within six months, and bread within one to two months.

Using the FIFO method helps keep food fresh and avoids waste.

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09/11/2025

Can Hot food cool on the bench before going in the fridge?

Leaving hot food to cool on the bench is one of the fastest ways to let bacteria grow. When food sits out, it passes through the ‘danger zone’ between 5°C and 60°C, the ideal temperature range for bacteria to multiply.

In aged care, for instance, a roast left to cool on the bench might feel cool on the outside but stay warm inside for hours. In childcare, a pot of soup left overnight to cool can become unsafe for the next day’s service, even if reheated. The 2-hour/4-hour cooling rule must be followed: food should cool from 60°C to 21°C within two hours and to 5°C within the next four hours.

Always record cooling times and temperatures in your food safety log.

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08/11/2025

Does Reheating food kill all bacteria, so it’s always safe to eat?

Reheating food does not make unsafe food safe again.

If food hasn’t been cooled or stored correctly, bacteria can produce toxins that survive heat.

This is particularly risky in large kitchens where food is prepared in bulk for later use.

To stay safe, cool food from 60°C to 21°C within two hours, and to 5°C within the next four hours. Always reheat food to at least 75°C and only once. Mixing reheated leftovers with freshly cooked food should be avoided entirely.

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