Reflecting on my first six months as CEO
People have asked me what motivated me to apply for the role of CEO for an aged care provider at a time like this. With a Royal Commission into aged care quality and safety already under way, years of chronic underfunding of the sector and major reform on the horizon, it certainly looked like a challenging job. Then throw a global pandemic into the mix for good measure.
I passionately believe that older people deserve to be supported to live the best life possible and I wanted to help lead Resthaven into its next chapter, where we continue to deliver on the expectations of not only current but future generations. The aged care system in Australia must fundamentally change if it is to be successful in meeting the needs of a growing ageing population. I want to be part of that change.
It has been a joy travelling to all of our sites to meet with residents and clients, volunteers and staff. What a privilege to have a chat, share a laugh and spend time with people. After all it is the people who make this industry special. It didn’t take me long to realise that to work in aged care you must be truly dedicated to what you do and that commitment just shines through our staff and volunteers.
The efforts of our people to navigate through a year like no other have been phenomenal. As employees on the front line, delivering an essential service to those in need, our staff have risen to the challenge. For me Resthaven’s National Aged Care Emergency Response team represent the epitome of our values as they selflessly volunteered to assist those in need earlier this year.
The feedback from the Royal Commission to date has been encouraging. The Commissioners and Counsel Assisting appear to have developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing the sector and what is required to reform how we deliver care and support for older Australians. Once the final report has been handed down, it will be important to advocate to the government to adopt their recommendations.
The timing of my commencement may not have been ideal, but I look forward to seeing the confusion on the faces of my grandchildren in years to come when I tell them that when I was appointed as CEO not one person shook my hand! I feel fortunate to work for Resthaven, a remarkable organisation which has been providing outstanding care and support for older people for 85 years.