The Estia CEO supported the current aged care reviews – including unannounced audits of operators – at last week’s AGM, telling shareholders: “The sector is under intense scrutiny, and rightly so, and I believe this scrutiny will help drive lasting and positive change.”
Ms Barlow, who took on the top job in September last year, also backed calls for a register of aged care workers who are found to pose a risk to residents.
She tells us that Estia has recently become aware of how many people in the sector go from role to role, at different providers, and are simply moved on when there are issues.
“We feel at the very least we should be able to fully verify work, and have details of any complaints made,” she said.
Estia also forecast it will hit mid-single percentage growth in FY18 – subject to no changes in the market or regulatory conditions.
Chairman Gary Weiss said the operator had halved its net debt and reduced its gearing well below its target range.
At the same time Estia director, former chairman and ex-Ramsay Health Care CEO Pat Grier retires from the board – just a month short of marking two years since Estia listed on the ASX.
