Tom Symondson appointed CEO of ACCPA

Tom Symondson, Chief Executive Officer, Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA)

Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) has announced Tom Symondson as its inaugural Chief Executive officer. Symondson joins from Victorian Healthcare Association – the peak body for the public health, aged care and community health sector in Victoria.

He is also a current board member of Aware Super, which recently increased its stake in retirement living property giant Lendlease to almost fifty per cent.

ACCPA Chairman Dr Graeme Blackman AO said the ACCPA Board looks forward to welcoming Tom to the organisation when he commences in September.

“Tom comes to ACCPA with a proven track record as a leader and advocate in the public and community health sector in Victoria where he has been Chief Executive Officer of VHA for eight years and their Director, Policy and Strategy for two years before that,” Dr Blackman said.

“ACCPA is the result of a historic vote taken earlier this year by Members of LASA and ACSA and fulfils a desire by aged care representative organisations across Australia to create a stronger, unified voice with which to represent the sector from home care, community care, residential care to retirement living and seniors housing.

“The aged care sector has faced significant challenges with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and the pandemic over the past two years which has exposed the sector’s severe staff shortages and the impact of the funding shortfall.

“Now, more than ever our sector needs strong leadership and a united voice through ACCPA so that we can work with Government and industry stakeholders to achieve a sustainable age care sector that improves the wellbeing of older Australians.

“We look forward to working with Tom as he leads a talented ACCPA team who possess a breadth of expertise and experience in the aged care sector.”

Mr Symondson said he was looking forward to the new challenge.

“I’m delighted to have been appointed as the CEO of ACCPA as it commences its work representing and supporting Australia’s diverse aged care sector,” Mr Symondson said.

“The sector is facing many challenges, not least the incredible strain on our workforce after more than two years of a global pandemic and the huge financial strain on providers. But there are also so many opportunities to work together with our members and governments across the country to build a sustainable future for aged care and most importantly, to improve the lives of older Australians, wherever they live.

“I can’t think of a more important goal, and I am excited to be able to play a part in delivering it,” Symondson added.

Dr Blackman thanked Interim ACCPA CEO Paul Sadler for leading the organisation through the transition from LASA and ACSA into a united organisation which he will continue to do until September.

1 COMMENT

  1. Hi Tom
    I saw you on the abc today talking about staffing in Aged Care.
    Very interesting!
    I live on the far South Coast of NSW.
    I have been Assisting in Nursing for 14 years.
    Recently i have had my hours reduced quite considerably.
    This is because the people from overseas are trained in Perth and are on agreements to apparently fill gaps of employment within the Aged Care sector.
    To my dismay, i had no notice that my hours would be reduced to almost nothing. When i asked management, they said, that’s how the system works.
    Not only are will all exhausted, but then we find out, others are taking our jobs. If that is the answer to supporting the elderly and the staff who work in this sector, no wonder we are all fed up and leaving in droves.
    The goverment told us that we would be supported with staff shortages by these agreements from overseas, we were not told they were coming to replace us. While i am supporting all new staff, this is hard when they now have taken my job.
    I am dissappointed as i do love my job, i care about the people i look after. I am now forced to look for work elsewhere.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here