After just 16 months in the role, Natalie Siegel-Brown is leaving the inspector-general’s office to continue her international career. Plus news from Regis and Medtech.
The aged care sector has reacted with shock and sadness at today’s surprise resignation of the inspector-general of aged care, Natalie Siegel-Brown.
Ms Siegel-Brown will step down on 31 July. In announcing her decision, she cited her increased international duties as the reason behind her departure.
“Throughout the time I’ve been inspector-general, I’ve simultaneously held an international position with a United Nations agency,” she wrote on LinkedIn.
“As my global responsibilities have grown in ways I couldn’t have anticipated, I’ve reached a point where I can’t do both justice.”
Ms Siegel-Brown is currently a law reform and implementation advisor on child protection and justice with UNICEF, and a board director with Oxfam Australia.
“Serving as inspector-general has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” she wrote.
“At the heart of this work has always been people – older people, families, advocates and workers – who trusted me with their stories. To every one of you: thank you. I have never lost sight of what it takes to speak up, especially when experience tells you systems don’t always listen.
“Whether you shared hope for a better system, or the pain of when it has fallen short, your trust has stayed with me. It has shaped the Office, how I work, and what I have fought for. Together, I reckon we have made visible what the system can no longer ignore.
“Those stories do not end here. They now live within the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care; an independent institution built to keep listening, to honour lived and living experience, and to ensure those voices continue to drive accountability and reform.
“I’m still here for the next three months, so please don’t consider me gone just yet. I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got right to the very end.”
Ms Siegel-Brown has been unafraid to be critical of the federal government’s recent reforms to the aged care system.
Just a fortnight ago, speaking at the Support at Home national conference in Melbourne, she said the government had failed to engage in “policy 101” when designing the new Aged Care Act, instead opting for “low-hanging fruit” rather than big-picture design and implementation.
“We have a mandate to provide a system in law that is kind, compassionate, dignified; yet I am very concerned that our implementation of that system undermines that,” she said.
The sector reacted quickly to Ms Siegel-Brown’s announcement:
“Your commitment to the role of IG has been evident since day one,” said one commenter.
“Your advocacy has been strong and lacks the constraints of fear that many of your peers demonstrate. This is greatly appreciated.”
“This is such a loss for the sector. I’ve always admired that you spoke truth to power in your efforts to bring the principles of the aged care act to life,” said another.
“Your independent and empathic support for older people receiving aged care services has been both exceptional and remarkable,” said a third.
“There are so many advocates in this space, but your role has been a shining beacon of light in a crowded and dark marketplace of safe options, cautious statements, and benign recommendations. Your bold appraisals of where we can do better, have been so welcomed by recipients, and I hope that your successor is equally courageous in helping to build a better system to enable people to age at home, or live happily in residential care.”
Ms Siegel-Brown was appointed as IGAC in January 2025 for a term of four years and nine months. Prior to that she was commissioner of social policy on the Productivity Commission for almost three years.
Also in today’s edition:
- ‘Yawning gaps’ in psychosocial care: Butler
- How to pitch prevention to the DoHDA, by Blair Comley
- Record Victorian health boost despite growing debt
- Prevention won’t cut health costs overall, conference hears
- Gold Coast HHS director loses IRC appeals
- Chemist Warehouse to enter UK market
- $15m win for research into early onset cancer
New CEO for Regis
Regis Healthcare has appointed Andrew Kinkade as its new managing director and CEO, starting on 20 July.
Mr Kinkade replaces Dr Linda Mellors who announced her departure in December. Dr Mellors will finish in the role on 19 June, before joining InvoCare as MD/CEO.
Mr Kinkade is a senior executive with more than 20 years’ experience spanning aged care, healthcare, private equity and investment banking. He is currently managing director of Bupa Villages and Aged Care.
He has also supported Bupa’s Asia Pacific strategy and key initiatives and is a director on the board of Bupa Hong Kong.
Prior to Bupa, Mr Kinkade held executive healthcare roles at Bupa Dental Care, Catholic Healthcare and National Home Doctor Service.
“I am thrilled to be joining Regis at such an exciting time for the company and the sector,” he said.
“Regis has built an outstanding reputation, and I look forward to working with the board, leadership team and all Regis staff to build on that strong position and deliver the company’s strategic and growth agenda.”
Related
Other appointments
Niki Howells-Schramm has joined troubled fertility giant Monash IVF group as its new chief people and culture officer. Previously she was chief people and safety officer at HealthShare Victoria.
Healthcare software provider Medtech Global has appointed Jakub Jurkiewicz as its new global chief product and technology officer.