Noticeboard: Replacement aged care royal commissioner appointed

Also in this wrap: FECCA appoints acting CEO; and Braemar appoints facility manager.

In this story:

  • New aged care royal commissioner appointed
  • FECCA appoints acting CEO
  • Braemar appoints facility manager

New aged care royal commissioner appointed

Former federal court judge Richard Tracey has been appointed as a commissioner to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the government has announced.

Richard Tracey

The new appointment follows Justice Joseph McGrath’s request to be excused from the role due to family reasons, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt and Minister for Health Greg Hunt said in a joint statement.

Mr Tracey previously served as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia for 12 years and has been the president of the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal and Judge Advocate General for the Australian Defence Force.

He begins in the role immediately, joining co-commissioner Lynelle Briggs who was appointed following the establishment of the royal commission on 8 October.

Mr Tracey’s appointment will have no impact on the timeframe of the royal commission, Mr Wyatt said.

The initial hearing for the royal commission will take place on Friday 18 January at the Family Court of Australia in Adelaide, with public hearings expected to start in February.

All commonwealth-approved aged care providers have already been requested to make early submissions to the commission detailing all instances of poor care and complaints since 2013, due by 7 January for the largest 100 providers and by 8 February for the remaining organisations (read more here.)

The commission is required to submit an interim report by 31 October 2019 and the final report by 30 April 2020.

FECCA appoints acting CEO

Mohammad Al-Khafaji

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia has announced the appointment of Mohammad Al-Khafaji as its new acting CEO.

FECCA is the national peak body for Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Mr Al-Khafaji’s appointment follows the resignation of former CEO Dr Emma Campbell.

Mr Al-Khafaji has previously held roles at FECCA on its executive board as the youth chair and as the hon secretary.

Braemar appoints facility manager

Western Australian-based aged care provider Braemar Presbyterian Care has appointed Graham Cowcher as the new facility manager at Coodina.

Graham Cowcher

Braemar Coodina is a 108-bed facility in the city of Melville.

Mr Cowcher has experience in the health sector, including acute, rehabilitation and aged care. He also has experience in local government, manufacturing and the insurance industry.

He has also previously served as a member of the Braemar Committee.

Mr Cowcher said he aimed to improve outcomes at the facility.

“I look forward to making a positive contribution to Braemar Cooinda to ensure prudent oversight, creating outcomes which enable for the provision of high-quality resident care,” Mr Cowcher said.

Have we missed an appointment or resignation? Send us the details and an image to editorial@australianageingagenda.com.au

Tags: emma-campbell, fecca, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia, Graham Cowcher, Justice Joseph McGrath, Ken Wyatt, Mohammad Al-Khafaji, news-5, Richard Tracey,

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