Home care provider Silverchain has launched a philanthropic foundation to invest in new models of care, improve technology and increase access to health and aged care services.
UPDATED: Home care provider Silverchain has launched a restructured philanthropic foundation to invest in new models of care, improve technology and increase access to health and aged care services.
Silverchain Foundation is a successor to the long-running and similarly-named Silver Chain Foundation, which had total assets of $15.9 million as at 30 June 2022.
This money is being transferred to the new entity, which is a company limited by guarantee and will have national coverage.
By comparison, the old body was an incorporated association restricted to the WA market.
The purpose of the two bodies is unchanged.
The old foundation distributed $1.9 million in the year to June 2022.
The new entity was announced at a panel discussion event on May 29 at the University Club of Western Australia in Crawley, where health and business leaders gathered to hear from Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, Silverchain Group chief executive Dale Fisher, Silverchain Foundation inaugural chair Heather Zampatti and HBF Health and Committee for Economic Development of Australia chair Diane Smith-Gander on the future of care in Australia.
Ms Zampatti brings more than 35 years of experience in finance, capital markets, stockbroking and investment sectors to the philanthropic arm.
She would be supported in this role by experienced executives Anne Skipper, Russell Lester, Tim Larkin and Brent Cubis, who joined the foundation's board as directors.
Ms Skipper also serves as Silverchain Group chair, a position she has held since 2011, while Mr Cubis has been on the board of Silverchain since 2022.
Ms Zampatti said there were many challenges on the horizon for the aged care sector and wider community, and the launch of Silverchain Foundation would invest in solutions.
“We know there is a substantial and growing need to deliver health care and aged care differently, and Silverchain has been working on real solutions for many years,” Ms Zampatti.
“To Silverchain’s credit, these investments across research, innovation, scholarships and supporting the clients is long-standing and reflected throughout its 130-year legacy.
“Silverchain’s clinical, care and research teams are creating the future of care now and Silverchain Foundation is proud to support this pioneering work.”
Speaking at the breakfast event on Wednesday, Ms Zampatti said the care system was under immense pressure and there was urgent demand for change.
“With an ageing population and ever-increasing demands on the Federal Budget, Australia is on the cusp of a care revolution, led by local innovation and new models of care,” she said.
Silverchain Group chief Ms Fisher said it was critical for state and federal government to partner with service providers to reshape the future of health.
“With the expertise that we have in Australia, it makes sense for businesses and governments to form stronger alliances in order to create a strong culture of innovation, focused on smart home care,” Ms Fisher said.
“The rapid changes in demand, technology, consumer choice, and policy have disrupted the dominant bricks-and-mortar approach. Attention is turning to the possibilities of in-home and digitally enabled care where people have greater choice.
“With the generous support of our donors, Silverchain has been able to invest in developing the home care of the future, working in partnerships with universities and other care innovators throughout Australia and around the world.”
Silverchain delivers in-home health and aged care services to more than 125,000 people per year.
As part of its goal to improve accessibility to services, Silverchain partnered with pathology services company Australian Clinical Labs in January to launch an at-home testing service.
The ‘priority at-home service’ would enable eligible clients who are unable to attend in-person clinics due to illness, disability, mobility or other constraints to have pathology testing done at home.
