Welcome to our summer update. I am back in the CEO role at a key time for the Summer Foundation. I’d like to thank Luke Bo’sher for all of his terrific work over the past 3.5 years. Our government relations and policy influence was turbo-charged under his leadership.
When I began the Summer Foundation in 2006 there was no research, no housing and no NDIS – basically no hope of better for young people in aged care and their families. Since that time we have made terrific progress – changing the thinking about what housing is possible for people with very high disability support needs, improving hospital discharge planning processes and seeing more housing built. I am as passionate and committed as ever. Together we can solve the issue of young people having to live in aged care in the next 5 years.
The current momentum we have to solve the issue of young people in nursing homes is unprecedented. This momentum was initially fuelled by the roll out of the NDIS and the 2015 Senate Inquiry into Accommodation initiated by Senator Linda Reynolds. The recent interim report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care and the Disability Royal Commission initiated by Senator Jordon Steele-John have created a shift in thinking and there has been a constructive response from government. George Taleporos and I had the privilege of presenting at the Disability Royal Commission hearings Read more about the Disability Royal Commission hearings.
The PM recently announced some new targets specific to young people in aged care with significant initiatives and some initial funding. Read more about the new targets.
In the lead up to the summer break, we are more optimistic than ever that we can work with government and our partner organisations to solve the issue of young people in aged care for good.
I hope you all enjoy a safe and happy Christmas season.
Di Winkler
CEO