Three of Flinders University’s most prominent aged care, palliative care and health economics experts presented a Flinders BRAVE lecture on what happens now the final report of the Royal Commission into aged care has been handed down.

Professor Julie Ratcliffe, lead of the Caring Futures Institute’s Health and Social Care Economics enabling theme, Professor Sue Gordon, Chair of Restorative Care in Ageing, and Jennifer Tieman, director of the Flinders Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, explored the post-Commission possibilities and directions for aged care from three very different but critical perspectives.

• Professor Julie Ratcliffe examined quality of life and how we must conceptualise quality and measure it so that older Australians receive the care they deserve.
• Professor Jennifer Tieman explored the complex issues around caring, dying and grieving and the how palliative care and care for older Australians at the end of their lives must become a core business for aged care.
• Professor Sue Gordon addressed the reality of workforce change and how we can develop workforce capability, including adoption of technology, to ensure care workers, nurses and allied health professionals can deliver the care that’s needed.

The three professors presented as expert witnesses at the Royal Commission, providing detailed commentary on different aspects of aged care needs and considerations relating to care and care delivery.

Watch the BRAVE lecture recording below.