New Clinical Advisory Committee

NZX Release
14 March 2022

New Clinical Advisory Committee to focus on primary care provision for older people

Third Age Health Services Limited (NZX: TAH), primary care provider for older people’s health, has
bought together healthcare experts and sector leaders to establish its first Clinical Advisory
Committee.

The Third Age Health Clinical Advisory Committee met for the first time on Monday evening 7 March
via Teams for a lively discussion. The group were introduced to the ‘wicked’ problem to be solved
whereby there is a disconnect between the health needs of older people and the ‘what, when and
how’ healthcare is provided for them, what that care costs and is there a balance to be found in
providing the right care at the right time in the right way.

The Clinical Advisory Committee brings together thought leaders and experts from clinical and
academic backgrounds in general practice, nursing, older people’s health, psychiatry, palliative care as
well as innovation, user experience and solution design. Members of the group were selected for not
only their expertise but their diversity of thought and willingness to come together with a provider to
find solutions to bridge the gap between the resources currently available and the healthcare that’s
needed for older people to improve their quality of life.

The Third Age Health inaugural Clinical Advisory Committee members are:
• Professor Ngaire Kerse, Joyce Cook Chair in Ageing Well and General Practitioner
• Professor Jenny Carryer, Massey University Professor and Head of NZ College of Nurses
• Dr Jane Casey, Psychogeriatric specialist
• Emily Preston, Senior Project Lead, Innovation Unit
• Dr Carol McCullum, Clinical Director for Mercy Hospice
• Dr Peter Zink, GP and Third Age Health Medical Director











CEO Tony Wai said, “We recognise there is not likely to be a one single answer to the many challenges
being faced across the sector but ultimately we want to ‘take the bull by the horns’ and focus on
finding solutions which enhance the Third Age Health model of care to improve healthcare for older
people.

“We’re keen to share what we learn along the way in the hope that it contributes to some of the
macro level issues. Our intention is to be action orientated and the drivers of change.”

“We are grateful to have brought together such a knowledgeable and experienced group for our first
Clinical Advisory Committee. This is an important step in not only improving the healthcare we are
delivering but also a way of increasing collaboration across the sector.”

The group shared many stories during the first meeting and in particular the challenge some older
people have when they transfer into a care facility and must leave their GP of many years or if their
existing GP retires. It was noted that people often attend the same general practice for many years
and so transferring to a new practitioner in a care home can feel like a ‘break-up’ and it can be hard
for them to build trust in their new clinician relationship.

Dr Peter Zink says, “There is a whole piece of work to do to try to bridge the gap between someone
leaving their existing general practice relationship when they enter a care facility. We need to explore
what ‘excellent’ looks like in terms of a warm handover and designing a process so new care home
residents can build trust in a new practitioner relationship rather than feeling like they’ve been
abandoned or handed over to someone who doesn’t know them well.”

The new Clinical Advisory Committee will meet six times a year and has a programme of work which
covers clinical services and outcomes, quality assurance and improvement, workforce development,
education, risk management and advocacy. The group will be expanded to include additional
expertise as needed including input from a Geriatrician and consumers.

Chair of the Clinical Advisory Committee, Third Age Health Medical Director Dr Peter Zink comments
“It’s really motivating to be working with a great group of people who bring to the table ideas which
will help us tackle the challenge of providing great healthcare for people at a time when we are
experiencing the collision of increasing clinical complexity, workforce pressures and stagnant
funding.”

Third Age Health’s Clinical Change Advisor, Lucy Wu, has been the driving force behind the
establishment of the Clinical Advisory Committee and says “Healthcare for people living in aged care
is really fragmented and as a provider with national reach we have a good view on the variation in
service provision and delivery across New Zealand. It’s important to occasionally step back from the
day-to-day delivery of healthcare and with the help of experts give time and thought to how we can
change the way we are doing things to get better outcomes.”



For more information, please contact:
Ruth Morse, Head of Communications, Marketing and Engagement
Third Age Health
+64 21 263 1415
ruthm@thirdagehealth.co.nz