Nov 9
The Aged Care We Dreamed Of?
Reflections on the Australian Aged Care Reforms
This week, I wanted to share some compelling insights from Natalie Siegel-Brown, the Inspector-General of Aged Care for the Australian Government, following her keynote at the ACA Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, in October 2025.
She opened with two simple but profound questions:
If you were unable to care for yourself independently as you aged:
Siegel-Brown addressed the practical realities of implementing reform in a sector grappling with funding pressures and workforce shortages. Below are some of her key themes. While this article focuses on the Australian context, it also draws inspiration from the Māori concept of Wairua.
She opened with two simple but profound questions:
If you were unable to care for yourself independently as you aged:
- What would you most want?
- What would scare you the most about being dependent?
These questions invite us to reflect deeply on what aged care should truly provide. They frame the heart of Australia’s new Aged Care Act—a shift toward a more holistic, person-centred approach.
Siegel-Brown addressed the practical realities of implementing reform in a sector grappling with funding pressures and workforce shortages. Below are some of her key themes. While this article focuses on the Australian context, it also draws inspiration from the Māori concept of Wairua.
Enacting the Core of Change
True reform cannot be achieved through superficial tweaks or by targeting the "low-hanging fruit"—those easy fixes that often become the enemy of meaningful change. Instead, holistic aged care demands legislation with teeth: mechanisms that enforce accountability and drive transformation at the core.
While quick policy adjustments may offer short-term relief, lasting change requires embedding the Royal Commission’s findings into law. For professionals navigating this evolving landscape, the directive is clear: shift from procedure-focused to outcomes-focused care.
We must spend less time asking, “How do you feel?” and more time understanding and meeting the fundamental needs of older people. Current funding models often misalign priorities, rewarding compliance over care. Inspired by international models—from Singapore’s 2025 reforms to practices in Scandinavia and Japan—Australia must invest in keeping elders active, connected, and engaged in their communities for longer.
While quick policy adjustments may offer short-term relief, lasting change requires embedding the Royal Commission’s findings into law. For professionals navigating this evolving landscape, the directive is clear: shift from procedure-focused to outcomes-focused care.
We must spend less time asking, “How do you feel?” and more time understanding and meeting the fundamental needs of older people. Current funding models often misalign priorities, rewarding compliance over care. Inspired by international models—from Singapore’s 2025 reforms to practices in Scandinavia and Japan—Australia must invest in keeping elders active, connected, and engaged in their communities for longer.
The Unfunded Gap: Emotional, Personal, and Spiritual Well-being
A major barrier to holistic care is the divide between clinical services and personal well-being. Government funding currently covers clinical needs, while essential daily supports—like showers—often fall to personal contributions.
More critically, emotional, personal, and spiritual dimensions are excluded from funding frameworks. Yet these elements are central to a person’s identity, dignity, and resilience. A truly holistic model must embrace the full spectrum of human needs.
More critically, emotional, personal, and spiritual dimensions are excluded from funding frameworks. Yet these elements are central to a person’s identity, dignity, and resilience. A truly holistic model must embrace the full spectrum of human needs.
The Cornerstone of Wairua
To define and integrate these non-clinical dimensions, we can look to the Māori concept of Wairua—spiritual health and resilience. Recognised as the fourth pillar in the Te Whare Tapa Whā model of health, Wairua is essential to well-being.
It refers to the non-physical essence of a person—the source of emotion, character, and soul. It’s not necessarily religious, but rather a deep sense of connection: to self, others, nature, and the world. Encouraging Wairua helps individuals build identity, find purpose, and foster contentment.
Spiritual health strengthens psychological resilience, enabling people to navigate adversity, deepen relationships, and live more fully. Common themes of spirituality that should be embedded in aged care include:
It refers to the non-physical essence of a person—the source of emotion, character, and soul. It’s not necessarily religious, but rather a deep sense of connection: to self, others, nature, and the world. Encouraging Wairua helps individuals build identity, find purpose, and foster contentment.
Spiritual health strengthens psychological resilience, enabling people to navigate adversity, deepen relationships, and live more fully. Common themes of spirituality that should be embedded in aged care include:
- A sense of clear purpose
- A quest for wholeness and harmony
- Connectedness—to self, others, nature, or place
- Recognition that life is more than material needs
- Activities that bring meaning and value
By nurturing Wairua, we build resilience—not just for individuals, but for families (whānau) and communities. When elders struggle to recover from adversity, the ripple effects are felt by all.
Funding: The Mechanism for Behavioural Change
To make holistic care a reality, policy must align financial incentives with desired outcomes. Funding drives behaviour—and reform must harness that power.
A proactive, preventative funding model is essential:
A proactive, preventative funding model is essential:
1.
Preventive Care Savings: Investing early in dental, hearing, and infection prevention keeps elders out of hospitals and reduces long-term costs. This supports both better health outcomes and fiscal sustainability.
2. Incentivising Autonomy: Policies that support elders to remain at home longer reduce reliance on high-cost facilities and promote independence.
Ultimately, the success of reform depends on societal demand. A critical mass of voices calling for outcome-focused, comprehensive care is what compels political action.
The new Aged Care Act must be more than symbolic. It must be the engine of real change—funding the whole person, not just the clinical chart. It must prioritise what elders value most, even when that challenges procedural convenience.
2. Incentivising Autonomy: Policies that support elders to remain at home longer reduce reliance on high-cost facilities and promote independence.
Ultimately, the success of reform depends on societal demand. A critical mass of voices calling for outcome-focused, comprehensive care is what compels political action.
The new Aged Care Act must be more than symbolic. It must be the engine of real change—funding the whole person, not just the clinical chart. It must prioritise what elders value most, even when that challenges procedural convenience.
Lyndon Forrest
Managing Director | CEO
Lyndon is the Managing Director of Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 30 years' experience supporting aged care providers across Australia and New Zealand.
With a background spanning outbreak response, compliance, and infection risk management — alongside hands-on experience leading teams, managing multi-site operations, and navigating business turnaround — he understands both the clinical and organisational pressures aged care providers face. Lyndon holds a Master of Commerce (Industrial Relations), and applies that foundation to the people, process, and growth challenges that come with running a complex healthcare services business.
He is passionate about building the systems and capability that make infection prevention sustainable — not just compliant — and about helping organisations grow their confidence alongside their practice.
Lyndon's focus is straightforward: strengthen operations, develop the right people, and drive proactive infection prevention strategies that protect residents, staff, and communities for the long term.
Lyndon is the Managing Director of Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 30 years' experience supporting aged care providers across Australia and New Zealand.
With a background spanning outbreak response, compliance, and infection risk management — alongside hands-on experience leading teams, managing multi-site operations, and navigating business turnaround — he understands both the clinical and organisational pressures aged care providers face. Lyndon holds a Master of Commerce (Industrial Relations), and applies that foundation to the people, process, and growth challenges that come with running a complex healthcare services business.
He is passionate about building the systems and capability that make infection prevention sustainable — not just compliant — and about helping organisations grow their confidence alongside their practice.
Lyndon's focus is straightforward: strengthen operations, develop the right people, and drive proactive infection prevention strategies that protect residents, staff, and communities for the long term.
Erica Callaghan
Marketing Manager
Erica Callaghan is a dedicated professional with a rich background in agriculture and nutrient management. Growing up on her family's farm in Mid Canterbury, she developed a deep passion for farming. She currently resides on her partner's arable property in South Canterbury.
In 2017, Erica joined the Farm Sustainability team, focusing on nutrient management and environmental stewardship. In February 2024, she became the Manager of Marketing and Sales at Bug Control New Zealand - Infection Prevention Services, where her passion now includes improving infection prevention outcomes.
Outside of work, Erica loves cooking and traveling, often combining her culinary interests with her explorations in Italy and Vietnam. She enjoys entertaining family and friends and remains actively involved in farm activities, especially during harvest season.
Erica Callaghan is a dedicated professional with a rich background in agriculture and nutrient management. Growing up on her family's farm in Mid Canterbury, she developed a deep passion for farming. She currently resides on her partner's arable property in South Canterbury.
In 2017, Erica joined the Farm Sustainability team, focusing on nutrient management and environmental stewardship. In February 2024, she became the Manager of Marketing and Sales at Bug Control New Zealand - Infection Prevention Services, where her passion now includes improving infection prevention outcomes.
Outside of work, Erica loves cooking and traveling, often combining her culinary interests with her explorations in Italy and Vietnam. She enjoys entertaining family and friends and remains actively involved in farm activities, especially during harvest season.
Toni Sherriff
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Toni is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in Infection Prevention and Control. Her career began as a kitchen hand and caregiver in Aged Care facilities, followed by earning a Bachelor of Nursing.
Toni has significant experience, having worked in Brisbane’s Infectious Diseases ward before returning home to New Zealand, where she continued her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control within Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ).
Toni brings her expertise and dedication to our team, which is instrumental in providing top-tier infection prevention solutions to our clients.
Toni is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in Infection Prevention and Control. Her career began as a kitchen hand and caregiver in Aged Care facilities, followed by earning a Bachelor of Nursing.
Toni has significant experience, having worked in Brisbane’s Infectious Diseases ward before returning home to New Zealand, where she continued her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control within Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ).
Toni brings her expertise and dedication to our team, which is instrumental in providing top-tier infection prevention solutions to our clients.
Julie Hadfield
Accounts & Payroll
Julie is experienced in Accounts & Payroll Administration & after a long career in both the Financial & Local Government Sectors, is now working with our team. Julie brings her strong time management & organisational skills to our team, which is important to keep the company running in the background to enable the rest of our team to provide top notch service to all of our clients.
Julie is experienced in Accounts & Payroll Administration & after a long career in both the Financial & Local Government Sectors, is now working with our team. Julie brings her strong time management & organisational skills to our team, which is important to keep the company running in the background to enable the rest of our team to provide top notch service to all of our clients.
Andrea Murray
Content Editor
I attended Otago University in NZ and graduated as a Dental Surgeon. After 40 years in the profession, I retired in 2022. Infection prevention knowledge was part of everyday practice, dealing with sterilisation, hand hygiene, and cleaning.
Before retiring, I began doing some editing and proofreading for Bug Control as I am interested in the subject and in the English language. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I attended the ACIPC course "Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control", which increased my interest in the subject. I now work part-time as the Content Editor for the company.
I attended Otago University in NZ and graduated as a Dental Surgeon. After 40 years in the profession, I retired in 2022. Infection prevention knowledge was part of everyday practice, dealing with sterilisation, hand hygiene, and cleaning.
Before retiring, I began doing some editing and proofreading for Bug Control as I am interested in the subject and in the English language. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I attended the ACIPC course "Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control", which increased my interest in the subject. I now work part-time as the Content Editor for the company.
Personally, I lived in the UK for 10 years. My two children were born in Scotland, and now both are living in Europe, one in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the other in Edinburgh, Scotland. I live close to Fairlie on the South Island of NZ, a beautiful part of the country, and I love being out of the city.
Princess
Customer Support
Princess began her career as a dedicated Customer Service Representative, honing her communication and problem-solving skills. She later transitioned into a Literary Specialist role, where she developed a keen eye for detail. Her journey then led her to a Sales Specialist position, where she excelled in client relations.
Now, as a Customer Support professional in Infection Prevention Services. Princess focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction, building loyalty, and enhancing the overall customer journey.
Princess began her career as a dedicated Customer Service Representative, honing her communication and problem-solving skills. She later transitioned into a Literary Specialist role, where she developed a keen eye for detail. Her journey then led her to a Sales Specialist position, where she excelled in client relations.
Now, as a Customer Support professional in Infection Prevention Services. Princess focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction, building loyalty, and enhancing the overall customer journey.
Dianne Newey
Senior Infection Prevention and Control Consultant
Dianne is a Senior Clinical Consultant at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 35 years of nursing experience and a depth of clinical knowledge that most people would need two careers to accumulate.
Having served as Clinical Director at Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital alongside a career spanning the full breadth of clinical practice, Dianne has seen it all — and more importantly, knows exactly what to do about it. She is the person in the room that everyone quietly hopes will speak first.
For more than seven years she has been a cornerstone of the IPS team, providing clinical advice, developing and reviewing policies and procedures, delivering monthly IPC webinars to IP Leads, and conducting environmental audits in aged care facilities across Australia and New Zealand. If infection prevention has a question, Dianne almost certainly has the answer — and she'll deliver it with a laugh that you'll hear from the other end of the corridor.
A true fountain of knowledge, wrapped in the kind of warmth and humour that only three decades of nursing can produce. Customers don't just trust Dianne — they look forward to hearing from her.
Dianne is a Senior Clinical Consultant at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing over 35 years of nursing experience and a depth of clinical knowledge that most people would need two careers to accumulate.
Having served as Clinical Director at Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital alongside a career spanning the full breadth of clinical practice, Dianne has seen it all — and more importantly, knows exactly what to do about it. She is the person in the room that everyone quietly hopes will speak first.
For more than seven years she has been a cornerstone of the IPS team, providing clinical advice, developing and reviewing policies and procedures, delivering monthly IPC webinars to IP Leads, and conducting environmental audits in aged care facilities across Australia and New Zealand. If infection prevention has a question, Dianne almost certainly has the answer — and she'll deliver it with a laugh that you'll hear from the other end of the corridor.
A true fountain of knowledge, wrapped in the kind of warmth and humour that only three decades of nursing can produce. Customers don't just trust Dianne — they look forward to hearing from her.
Caoimhe (Keva) Stewart
Clinical & Business Operations Manager
Caoimhe is the Clinical & Business Operations Manager at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing a clinical background as a Registered Nurse across the UK and Australia — and an almost unsettling ability to make technology do exactly what she wants.
With experience in Occupational Health, Palliative Care, and Community Nursing, she understands the real challenges faced by healthcare teams. What she may lack in stature she more than makes up for in impact — Caoimhe is the kind of person who walks into a problem, sizes it up, and has three solutions before anyone else has finished reading the brief.
Customers love her. Not just because she delivers — though she always does — but because she genuinely cares about the outcome on the other side. She is passionate about creating seamless learning experiences and empowering organisations with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to strengthen infection prevention practices and improve care outcomes.
Small in size. Mighty in results. Completely irreplaceable.
Caoimhe is the Clinical & Business Operations Manager at Infection Prevention Services (IPS), bringing a clinical background as a Registered Nurse across the UK and Australia — and an almost unsettling ability to make technology do exactly what she wants.
With experience in Occupational Health, Palliative Care, and Community Nursing, she understands the real challenges faced by healthcare teams. What she may lack in stature she more than makes up for in impact — Caoimhe is the kind of person who walks into a problem, sizes it up, and has three solutions before anyone else has finished reading the brief.
Customers love her. Not just because she delivers — though she always does — but because she genuinely cares about the outcome on the other side. She is passionate about creating seamless learning experiences and empowering organisations with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to strengthen infection prevention practices and improve care outcomes.
Small in size. Mighty in results. Completely irreplaceable.
Bridgette Mackie
Clinical Nurse Educator
Bridgette is an experienced New Zealand Registered Nurse, qualified Healthcare Auditor, and Healthcare Educator with a strong background in clinical quality, competency assessment, and infection prevention. She has led large-scale OSCE and CAP training programmes for internationally qualified nurses, developed sector-specific educational resources, and coordinated HealthCERT audit preparation in the surgical sector.
Known for her engaging teaching style and genuine passion for supporting learners, Bridgette excels at making complex topics accessible and relevant. She blends operational leadership with a deep commitment to professional development and safe, effective practice.
Bridgette is an experienced New Zealand Registered Nurse, qualified Healthcare Auditor, and Healthcare Educator with a strong background in clinical quality, competency assessment, and infection prevention. She has led large-scale OSCE and CAP training programmes for internationally qualified nurses, developed sector-specific educational resources, and coordinated HealthCERT audit preparation in the surgical sector.
Known for her engaging teaching style and genuine passion for supporting learners, Bridgette excels at making complex topics accessible and relevant. She blends operational leadership with a deep commitment to professional development and safe, effective practice.