On Monday 4 March Australian Sage Tour delegates enjoyed a visit to Royal Hospital Chelsea for a day of information exchange and a tour of the unique care model provided by Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The day started with an opportunity for the Australian delegates to hear about the UK care sector from specialists including ARCO, Care England, Care Quality Commission, Skills for Care and the National Care Forum.
Gary Lashko, chief executive of Royal Hospital Chelsea, provided a tour of the buildings and grounds including the museum, café and shop, which are open to the public.
The study tour is designed to give Sage delegates insight into the older people’s systems models of care in England. During these tours, participants visit significant public and private organisations. The visits to older people’s retirement villages and care homes highlight successful models of care and give an overview of the current English systems.
At the end of the day key decision makers from the UK including NCF board member Karen Knight, CEO of Norsecare and Sue Porto from Brandon Trust, joined the Australian delegation for a drinks reception hosted by Person Centred Software, Vic Rayner and the NCF team.
Jonathan Papworth, CEO of Person Centred Software, led the international exchange of best practice and the sharing of ideas and innovations. The guests welcomed Chelsea Pensioners Dewi and John, who provided an insight into life at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and shared life stories of serving in Her Majesties Forces.
It was a fascinating evening bringing together innovators, future thinkers and creating international relationships to support the development of care services in both the UK and Australia.
Pictured: Australian delegation Sage tour with Judy Martin, director of SAGE International
