A reflection on the past year

Christadelphian Aged Care CEO Ross Peden

As 2018 draws to a close it is useful to reflect on the activities of the past year.

After around 10 years with Christadelphian Aged Care, our Chief Operations Officer Matthew Lamey decided to return to the public hospital sector. Matthew had been with us during a period of sustained growth, and made a significant contribution our organisation. We wish him well for the future.

This year we modified our clinical management structure and appointed Gaynor Squillacioti to the new role of Chief Clinical Officer. Gaynor is supported by Corey Salmon in the newly created role of General Manager, Quality and Compliance. We have also boosted our clinical management by increasing the numbers of Care Managers at each of our Homes.

Gaynor has introduced a raft of new and innovative clinical structures, policies, procedures and training, which together with an ongoing update of our computerised care systems, places us in a strong position to manage the increasing acuity and clinical requirements of our residents into the future.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will commence hearings in January 2019. We as an organisation welcome the formation of the Royal Commission, which will examine a variety of care quality issues, and just as importantly, look at the ongoing sustainability of the sector going forward into the future.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank our staff. Any organisation is only as strong as its staff, and our dedicated people tirelessly attend to the social, physical and emotional needs of our residents. Our volunteers who contribute their time to supporting our residents in a wide variety of ways also contribute greatly to the daily lives of our residents, and I would like to also thank all those who generously donate their time.

I would like to acknowledge the immense contribution of our recently retired Chairman Graham Cavanagh-Downs, who after more than 30 years on the CAC Board has stepped down. Graham commenced with CAC when we operated a 40 bed aged care home, 56 bed hostel and 18 Independent Living Units. His involvement and guidance has been instrumental in CAC being the organisation it is today. We wish him well in his retirement.

Finally, I would like wish all of our residents, their families, our staff and volunteers all the best for the holiday season and the year come.

Ross Peden
CEO