Mel Ottaway
Executive Manager Community Services & Retirement Living
Resthaven
Mel Ottaway is an experienced aged care and community services executive currently serving as Executive Manager, Community Services & Retirement Living at Resthaven Incorporated, where she leads strategic operations across residential, home care and retirement living portfolios. Mel has a strong background in nursing, health services and organisational leadership, with previous senior roles at Uniting Communities and Southern Cross Care. She holds a Master of Nursing and a Master of Business Administration and contributes to sector development through committee involvement with peak bodies including the Aged & Community Care Providers Association and the Dementia Expert Reference Group. Mel’s leadership emphasises quality outcomes, integrated services and responsive care models that support the wellbeing and dignity of older Australians.
SESSIONS
Day 2
10:00
Panel: Clinical responsibility in Home Care: Delivering safe care in environments you don't control
How can home care providers meet the new expectations when clinical risk often sits in the client’s home, not in a managed environment? What systems are needed to ensure safe care when providers have limited influence over daily routines, environmental conditions and the decisions clients make?
Explore practical strategies for assessing and responding to clinical risk in the community, navigating complex family dynamics, ensuring worker safety, building clear escalation frameworks, and maintaining compliance without undermining consumer autonomy
Deidre McGill, Chief Operating Officer, Home & Community Support, Bolton Clarke
Greg Bartley, Chief Operating Officer, Dovida
Mel Ottaway, Executive Manager Community Services & Retirement Living, Resthaven
Marcela Carrasco, Executive General Manager Home Care, Hammond Care
Shey Schillaci, General Manager of Community, Health and Care, Benetas Home Care
Chris Snepvangers, Director, Nursing, Safety & Enterprise, Silverchain