Bill Appleby is Mercy Health's new Executive Director of Aged Care.

Catholic provider Mercy Health has appointed a new Executive Director of Aged Care as it looks to expand its services.

Bill Appleby comes to Mercy with over 20 years of experience in the health and aged care sectors.

He has helped to oversee a major re-branding for Anglican Aged Care Services (now Benetas) and has been involved with a significant merger while working for the Regis Group.

“Care for the frail aged is an increasing need in our society and a strategic priority for Mercy Health. [Mr Appleby’s] experience will support our growth in this sector,” said Mercy Health’s CEO, John Ballard.

In the next 10 months Mercy Health plans to open new aged care services in East Melbourne, Parkville and Warrnambool, while completing expansions at Wyndham and Bendigo.

Mr Appleby said he expects to see “accelerated consolidation” in the sector throughout the next 12-18 months and Mercy hopes to play an active role in that process.

“We have got a growth agenda,” he said. “We are wanting to build a comprehensive aged care service.

“Mercy is already a regonised provider of quality care in aged, health and community services. We can use this experience to assist us in building our aged care offerings from in-home care right through to palliative care."

But Mr Appleby’s first priority is to ensure that there is a consistent set of values across all of Mercy Health’s aged care facilities in Victoria and NSW.

“Of course we will also need to work to ensure financial sustainability and to establish a performance-based culture,” he said.