Alberto Barros was named Emerging Leader at the 2025 Future of Ageing Awards, recognised for transforming clinical governance at Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) through innovation, data-driven leadership, and improved resident wellbeing. Results were unveiled at a presentation dinner in Sydney on November 27, 2025…To view all of the results…
Since joining Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) in 2022, Alberto “Albie” Barros has emerged as a transformative clinical leader, driving measurable improvements in resident wellbeing, clinical governance, and organisational capability across aged care services.
Beginning as Head Office Quality Support Officer before progressing to Clinical Governance Manager in 2024, Albie now leads a team of 15 staff while overseeing major organisation-wide quality and safety initiatives. His leadership is defined by collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to person-centred care.
One of Albie’s most impactful achievements was helping introduce 24/7 accessible snack fridges across SCC homes. Recognising the importance of dignity, independence, and nutrition in residential aged care, he coordinated policy development, staff training, and cross-functional implementation with clinical, procurement, and catering teams. The initiative allows residents to independently access preferred snacks, including options suitable for modified and textured diets. The program has improved appetite, reduced weight loss, and enhanced residents’ wellbeing, mood, and autonomy.
Albie also led the rollout of the Abena Continence Management System and Skin Care Range after identifying gaps in existing continence management practices through a comprehensive audit. Demonstrating exceptional commitment, he personally trialled products to better understand resident experiences. The program has delivered significant clinical improvements, including lower rates of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), reduced skin tears, and improved comfort and dignity for residents. SCC’s current IAD rate sits at 3.29%, outperforming both peer averages and industry benchmarks, with seven SCC homes reporting zero cases since implementation.
As part of the judging process, a testimonial from both a manager and a person external to the organisation is required. Judges were impressed by the detailed testimonials provided.
“Impressive. With measurable results!”
2025 Future of Ageing Awards judge
Understanding the challenges faced by rural aged care providers, Albie partnered with Healthcare United and Coloplast to strengthen wound care management across SCC facilities. He established aged care-specific wound care services while introducing a training pathway that enabled registered nurses to develop specialised wound management skills. These initiatives contributed to a reduction in pressure injuries and improved the quality of life for residents.
Albie has also strengthened SCC’s organisational capability through a sophisticated, data-driven approach to clinical governance. Partnering with health researcher Associate Professor Lahn Straney, he helped enhance the organisation’s capacity for clinical data interpretation and analysis. This collaboration led to the appointment of a Clinical Quality Data Scientist and significantly improved SCC’s ability to measure outcomes, identify risks, and implement evidence-based improvements.
In line with SCC’s commitment to reducing restrictive practices, Albie established processes to closely monitor psychotropic medications and chemical restraints, ensuring medications are used appropriately and only when necessary. His focus on non-pharmacological interventions has further enhanced resident wellbeing and quality of life.
Through innovation, courage, and compassionate leadership, Alberto Barros has already made an extraordinary contribution to aged care and continues to shape safer, more responsive, and person-centred services for older Australians.
