5 September 2023
On Tuesday 15 August, Regis Blackburn welcomed students from the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with ADP Consulting, for ‘Immersion Day’. The event gave students, who are undertaking a Master of Public Health, the opportunity to experience the aged care environment in practice and gain an understanding into complex healthcare environments.
The event was a fantastic opportunity for Regis to showcase and celebrate the leaders, operations, designs, and models of care that make up the organisation. This significant partnership ensures that we can engage with prospective healthcare professionals to share knowledge that will be valuable for the future of care at Regis.
Members of the Regis team were in attendance to offer their insight and expertise, answer a series of Q&As, and take students on a tour of the Home. The panel sessions covered critical areas of the business including property, operations, clinical, lifestyle, and maintenance, giving students a holistic look at an aged care environment and the interplay of various disciplines required to ensure the wellbeing of residents.
Representing the University of Melbourne and ADP Consulting were Lucio Naccarella and Nikki Beckman who, with the assistance of Regis team members, led discussions with students about the aged care environment and design principles for aged care.
ADP Consulting Director, Nikki Beckman, said, “It was truly a privilege for ADP Consulting to be part of what we hope will be the first of many immersion days, partnering with Regis and the University of Melbourne. This collaboration will help to open up important dialogue and pathways for the next generation of health care leaders and designers to advance their knowledge – and for industry to share their insights – around the design, evaluation, operation, care, and importantly – the experiences – of living and working in residential care environments.”
Rounding off the session was a meaningful Q&A session with Regis Blackburn resident, Dr Lindsay Knight who attended to student queries and spoke about both his career as a General Practitioner and his experience residing in the Home. His perspective served as a bridge between the medical world and the residential life, adding intimacy to the students’ understanding of the aged care environment.
Regis Blackburn General Manager, Tracy Grigor, said that Dr Knight “shared some words of wisdom around his decision to move into residential care and the environmental features his family looked for when shortlisting homes for his consideration. He opened up to tell us of his experience residing at Regis Blackburn and how important the physical environment is to his lifestyle. Lindsey held the group in the palm of his hand sharing stories of his career in public health, here and overseas. By taking the time to listen to our residents, we uncover valuable lessons in life and discover ways to improve our care and services.”
This collaborative initiative underscored a meaningful partnership between academia and industry and fosters an environment where prospective healthcare professionals can engage directly with the real-world intricacies of caregiving.
