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“Care that Connects” is about connecting people, services and settings, connecting clinical expertise with ongoing lived experience, and connecting insight with action. This was the theme of Gold Coast Primary Health Network’s (GCPHN’s) 2026 Aged Care Symposium, where we brought together more than 150 representatives from across the sector to discuss pressing issues and reflect on how improvements can be realised.
This year’s Symposium – an annual event brought together by GCPHN – was one to remember. Speakers from organisations such as Gold Coast Health, ChemoPro Aged Care, Queensland Ambulance Service, the Residential Aged Care Facility Support Service, Australian Frailty Network and Australian Digital Health Agency shared their perspectives on what matters in day-to-day care, with active engagement by everyone who came along to the event at Southport Sharks Events Centre.
Speakers brought fresh insights on relevant topics impacting the sector, ranging from cognitive health and dementia care to medication safety, escalation pathways and after-hours support, frailty prevention, digital transformation and improving transitions between hospital, home and residential aged care.
See what the day was like on the ground with our video recap, showing #CarethatConnects with energy, passion and focus.
Uncle John Graham, a Traditional Custodian of the Gold Coast region and Director of the Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporation Alliance (YRACA), got the day started with a powerful Welcome to Country.
Dr Alyson Ross, Acting Executive Director Commissioning (Executive Director of Digital Insights and Performance) at GCPHN, then drew attention to what made the event so special.
“When you get this many people who care deeply about aged care into one room, amazing connections are made and good things tend to happen,” said Dr Ross.
“We all know the pressures – including workforce shortages and fatigue, increasing demand and complexity and the reality that providing good quality, person centred care is getting harder, not easier.
“But despite all of that – and this is important – this sector continues to show incredible resilience, innovation and commitment.”
Joyce McSwan, Founder and Managing Director of PainWISE, brought everyone together as MC.
“The energy was palpable and I was so grateful for the generous participation of the audience throughout the whole day,” she said.
For more thoughts on the day, we asked attendees for their perspectives about what #CarethatConnects and their time at the Symposium meant to them.
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Presentations from the day are available to view on our events page.
At GCPHN, we’re proud to continue these conversations and partnerships as we work toward better outcomes for older Australians.
If you work in aged care, you may be interested in our residential aged care resources – which support health professionals in accessing services, up-to-date evidence-based information, and best practice guidelines for assisting patients.
GCPHN also shares a monthly Aged Care Bulletin with the latest updates on what’s happening in aged care locally – you can subscribe today. We also share free publications on important health topics like Advance Care Planning – with the option to order free hard copies from our team.
If you are a community member interested in updates about aged care locally, check out our content for older Australians and relating to palliative care. Community updates are shared monthly in our Local Primary Health Network News, which you can subscribe to today.
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