Reflecting on a Year Like No Other in Aged Care

What a year it’s been in the Aged Care sector. I’m certainly not the first to say that none of us could have predicted how 2020 has played out. It’s been a year that’s presented many challenges and heartache. I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my reflections as I look back on a year that’s been like no other.


The key challenges we’ve faced over the past 12 months have been up-skilling new team members and protecting the safety of our team, while successfully allocating nursing staff to 95% of nursing shifts in areas that were impacted by bush fires earlier in the year and then COVID-19. 


During the period of the fires, our team were asked to head to Bateman’s Bay and Dalmeny to lend their support. At one of the local nursing homes the fire got to the back door of the facility. Another nursing home was evacuated into the one we were assisting. Staff were dealing with lots of issues, including no power, no phones and lots of emotions. Some of our staff were there for up to four days. 

How the Health Staffing Team Managed 2020’s Challenges

Chelsea joined us in March and was promoted to Head of Allocations in May. She and the team adapted very quickly to delivering our services in a home office environment that required new ways of communicating with each other and new protocols, systems and procedures to protect the safety of our staff, clients and their patients. As demand for our staffing has increased throughout the year, Chelsea has continued to play a key leadership role, and is now Health Staffing's Business Manager.


At the same time, our nursing staff had to decide whether they were prepared to work in the front line during COVID-19. The commitment we saw from so many of our staff was a credit to them, ensuring that shifts were filled and facilities were able to continue to provide the level of care required during this difficult period.

 

An essential part of how we have managed these challenges since December is providing our dedicated staff with our Employee Assistance Program, We also provided the promise for those in the frontline that they would still be paid if they were exposed to COVID-19 and had to self isolate. This was before this was a mandatory requirement by the government.


We remained committed to supporting the local community during the fires by organising a donation drive for non perishable items for those impacted by the fires, with a drop off point being at our office in Nowra. 

To ensure team morale remained high at a difficult time, we celebrated International Women's Day, and all of the women in the head office at Nowra had the opportunity to come to work in their own style. This meant not wearing uniforms, providing the opportunity to express individuality with our clothing that day. A lovely lunch was a highlight of the day!

Our Response to COVID-19

Staff are regularly reminded of the importance of washing their hands and using PPE during each shift. We continue to work closely with clients to protect their residents within each facility. At the start of the pandemic, if staff had travelled overseas recently they were not sent out on a shift for 16 days after returning to Australia. 


The team have been incredible and everyone has remained positive.

 

We adapted our business model in terms of service delivery and went through a facelift with new marketing strategies being rolled, and increased our marketing communication via a monthly email newsletter, starting in January, at the height of the bush fires. If you’d like to receive our monthly updates, please sign up here.


We also sponsored ACSA’s NSW Financing Tomorrow’s Aged Care Sector Symposium, a 3 day virtual conference at the start of June. 

When COVID-19 hit we were required to adapt our business model and move our staff from the office to working from home. Due to an investment in laptops and the tenacity of both Chelsea and Shay, the office team were able to time this transition in a way that had no disruption to our service delivery. As a result of their commitment to clients and our nursing staff during this period, we have seen an increase in loyalty from our clients and an increase in request for shifts, with as many as 31 shifts being placed in a day at the start of July. 

Please follow our company page here on LinkedIn.


Resilience was a Key Factor in Navigating 2020


In February 2020 NPAworldwide (a global recruitment network) asked its members around the globe to nominate other members who have done outstanding things for the community. I was very proud to be nominated by several Australian members as having done a wonderful job providing community support during the recent bush res.


There was a seamless transition from the office to working from home and we were able to deliver the same high level of customer service, including the allocation of as many shifts as possible in as little time as possible in a completely new, and unusual work environment versus the normal and established office set up. 


To support the teams continued growth at this difficult time we invested in professional development including: 


  • Pearl Mentoring Program with the RSCA (Recruitment Industry peak body) Recruitment Pathways Program with Career Lasso
  • HR Traineeship with TAFE NSW
  • Social Media training with Think Bespoke

I was thrilled when Health Staffing was recognised as a Finalist for Resilience in Business in the Illawarra Business Awards 2020.



Thank you to my family, my hard working team and all of our clients for your ongoing support in 2020. From our family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and joyful 2021.


Each year, an estimated 720,000 people die by suicide worldwide. The impact is devastating — ripplin

Changing the Narrative on Suicide

September 8, 2025
World Suicide Prevention Day 2025: Changing the Narrative on Suicide Why World Suicide Prevention Day Matters Each year, an estimated 720,000 people die by suicide worldwide . The impact is devastating — rippling through families, friendships, workplaces, and entire communities. Behind every statistic is a story, a life, and loved ones left behind. This reality reminds us why World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) matters. On 10 September 2025 , people and organisations across the globe will come together to mark WSPD under the theme: “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” This year, the campaign is placing particular emphasis on accessibility, with resources translated into more languages so the message of hope can reach more people, in more places. As Professor Jo Robinson, President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), shares: “Suicide prevention is a shared commitment that unites us across borders, cultures, and communities. As we continue our journey to change the narrative on suicide, let us ensure our message of hope and understanding reaches everyone — in every corner of the world.” What Does “Changing the Narrative” Mean? For too long, conversations about suicide have been surrounded by silence, stigma, and misunderstanding. Changing the narrative means shifting towards openness, empathy, and support. It’s about making suicide prevention everybody’s business — not just the responsibility of mental health professionals. The movement calls us to action in several key ways: Raising awareness and understanding through open, compassionate conversations. Advocating for the decriminalisation of suicide and the development of national suicide prevention strategies. Taking action by checking in with loved ones, sharing stories, and participating in training. Ensuring that people in crisis areas have access to mental health care and protective support. Ways You Can Get Involved in World Suicide Prevention Day 1. Start a Conversation and Raise Awareness Online A simple post using #WSPD can help challenge stigma and spread hope. Free resources, posters, and videos are available through organisations such as Suicide Prevention Australia, Lifeline, and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. 2. Raise Awareness at Work Workplaces play a powerful role in shaping culture and supporting staff. Host an event, share resources with your team, or consider creating a wellbeing initiative that prioritises mental health in your workplace. 3. Reach Out to Someone If you notice a friend, colleague, or family member struggling, reaching out can make all the difference. Asking “How are you really going?” might be exactly what they need to hear. 4. Listen Well When someone shares their worries, listen without judgment. Don’t minimise their feelings or rush to provide answers. Sometimes, being heard is the most powerful form of support. 5. Rethink Attitudes Toward Mental Health Reject harmful ideas like “just get over it” or “toughen up.” Encouraging openness shows people it’s safe to talk about their struggles and seek help when they need it. 6. Encourage People to Seek Support Whether it’s through a GP, a counsellor, or a helpline, professional help can make a huge difference. Remind those around you that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. 

The Youth Is Needed

August 6, 2025
International Youth Day – Celebrating the Future of Healthcare Each year on International Youth Day, we honour the creativity, resilience, and potential of young people around the globe. At Health Staff Australia, we believe it’s also a powerful opportunity to highlight how youth play an essential role in shaping the future of healthcare in our country — from aged care to frontline nursing and allied health services. Young healthcare professionals are not just the future — they’re already making a difference today. Whether it’s through their work as Registered Nurses (RNs), Assistant in Nursing (AINs), Support Workers, Doctors, Occupational Therapists (OTs), or in countless other roles, young people are stepping up with compassion, innovation, and a drive to care. Youth in Aged Care and Nursing: The Impact is Real Australia’s healthcare landscape is changing rapidly, particularly as our population ages. This makes sectors like aged care and disability support more vital than ever. Youth who choose careers in these fields bring fresh energy, empathy, and a willingness to learn — helping to enhance the quality of care for some of our most vulnerable citizens. The nursing profession is the largest single health profession in Australia, and as the Australian Parliament notes, “workforce planning is critical to ensure alignment of nursing supply with demand required by the health system, to create a sustainable nursing workforce for Australia” ( source ). That means we need more young people to consider healthcare as a career path — and not just any role, but those in high-demand sectors like residential aged care, community health, mental health support, and disability services. 

Signs You’re Meant to Be a Support Worker

July 2, 2025
You Were Made for This: The Qualities That Make a Great Support Worker – and How to Grow Them Support work is not just a job. It’s a quiet kind of strength, a steady hand, and a heart that chooses care—again and again. At Health Staff Australia, we’ve seen firsthand the impact a truly compassionate support worker can make. But what is it that makes someone right for this role? And how can you grow into the kind of carer you aspire to be? Whether you’re new to the field or have been walking alongside others for years, this is for you.