Symposium

In 1992 the Board contracted Professor Ralph Straton to develop a discussion document about the potential for research in Silver Chain. The paper Professor Straton wrote noted that Silver Chain was in a quite unique position in Australia, given the range of health and aged care services that it offered and the quality of the data that it collected, and that it should therefore be involved in research. Not only research that was focused internally on how Silver Chain could most efficiently and effectively achieve the best outcomes for their clients but also research that was whole of sector and could influence policy and practice across Australia.

As a result the position of Research Manager was created and in 1993 Gill Lewin was appointed to the position, with four objectives:

  1. To promote the development of high quality research aimed at improving all aspects of domiciliary and residential care.
  2. To implement research which will influence the future directions of domiciliary and residential care
  3. To develop research to ensure the relevance, quality, effectiveness and efficiency of services provided by Silver Chain
  4. To promote research that will improve the services provided by Silver Chain and enhance the prospects for personal development and career development of all staff employed by Silver Chain

These objectives have provided the research team with enormous scope to develop programs of research and be involved in a broad range of research projects that have the potential to make a difference to many people’s lives.  Additionally a whole of sector focus has led the team to conduct many projects in collaboration with other providers, health professionals, university researchers, funders, consumer groups, peak bodies, and governments of all levels.

Examples of the diverse range of research that the Research Department is involved in were showcased at the inaugural Silver Chain Research Symposium on Wednesday 21 October 2009 at the Guide Dog Conference Centre in Victoria Park.  The symposium attracted over 70 attendees, from a range of health care and research organisations, who were welcomed by CEO Chris McGowan.  Professor Gill Lewin was the master of ceremonies and introduced the five presentations: