May 7, 2024

UOW Professor to provide nursing perspective to national aged care council

Victoria Traynor appointed to panel of experts in aged care

Professor Victoria Traynor from the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) School of Nursing has been appointed to the national Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Council.

The Council advises the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner and the federal Minister for Health and Aged Care regarding the regulation of 3,200 aged care providers delivering 9,300 services in Australia.  

Sunday 12 May marks International Nurses’ Day, which this year focusses on the ways strategic investment in nursing can bring considerable economic and societal benefit.

Professor Traynor said, “It is a pivotal time for aged care in Australia with the recommendations of the 2021 Royal Commission into the Quality and Safety of Aged Care being implemented.  It is truly an honour to be appointed to the Advisory Council and have the opportunity to contribute at a national level.”

Over a 35-year career, Professor Traynor has become a recognised leader in gerontological nursing who has achieved significant policy and practice changes in aged care through her research and teaching.

In 2015, Professor Traynor founded the Aged and Dementia Health Education Research (ADHERe), a transdisciplinary centre focused on sharing research knowledge with older people, family carers and service providers.

Professor Traynor is known for mentoring undergraduate, master’s degree and PhD candidates to become gerontological leaders. 

In 2022, Professor Traynor co-founded the Gerontological Alliance of Nurses Australia (GANA) which was instrumental in leading the research, development, and national implementation of Australia’s first Gerontological Nursing Competencies.

“The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is achieving previously unseen changes in the way older Australians and their family carers experience aged care.

“Being appointed to the Advisory Council provides an invaluable opportunity to represent the views of gerontological nursing,” she said. 

The new Aged Care Act, which will come into effect in 2024, will move Australia towards a contemporary, rights-based approach to aged care.  Professor Traynor said, “I am looking forward to working with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to influence how we achieve the delivery of gold standard aged care that the Royal Commission promised older Australians.”

UOW is committed to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a shared blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for everyone. Professor Traynor’s work addresses Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, which ensures healthy lives and promotes well-being for all people at all ages.

Gerontological Alliance Nurses Australia (GANA) will hold a webinar on Thursday 8 May exploring developments in aged care - GANA Presents: International nurses leading Australian Aged Care. Register online.