Year-end interviews with aged care leaders: Sandra Hills OAM – Benetas

Q1. What was your highlight/s for 2023?

Benetas and the broader aged care sector experienced a productive 2023. For me, key highlights included the 15 per cent pay increase awarded by Fair Work Australia to aged care staff.

We’ve seen a more considered partnership approach between the Federal Government, consumers and providers regarding the development and timelines for Support at Home and reforms in aged care generally.

An important moment occurred when Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells acknowledged that providers did not receive enough support for the care and services provided. This happened at the ACCPA conference this year and was essential in ensuring changes were made across the sector.

It was great to see work commence on the Health and Aged Care Pricing Commission and the new Aged Care Act, even though the latter may not be ready before the July 2024 delivery date.

During the year, conversations advanced regarding customer segmentation and diversity of service offerings to meet the aspirations of older people.

We were pleased to see the creation of the new Aged Care?Taskforce, policy advancements by the?Aged & Community Care Providers Association?and the?creation of the?Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia.?

Q2. What are you most looking forward to in 2024?

In 2024, Benetas looks forward to more action on the Support at Home program, the development of the new Aged Care Act and the diversity of service offerings for older people.

We are also eager to see results from the Health and Aged Care Pricing Commission, the Aged Care Taskforce and the?Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia.

Q3. What books will you be reading over the summer holiday break??

Over the summer, I’ll be reading the new Sam Neill biography Did I Ever Tell You This? and Live Like A Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci.

This article originally appeared in Inside Ageing