Tina Cooper Farewells Resthaven.

Resthaven’s Executive Manager Clinical Governance & Operational Excellence, Tina Cooper, will retire from her position as of 16 December 2024. A strong and dedicated member of Resthaven’s senior team for the past 15 years, Tina leaves a legacy of clinical excellence and advocacy for older people. Her influence on sector-wide policy and best practice was felt keenly during the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, as well as during the Covid pandemic when her expertise was called upon by state leaders as they considered the impact of restrictions on older people within our community.

‘My heart has always been in nursing,’ Tina says. ‘I am still, today, a registered nurse. My standards are high (I don’t think anyone would say anything different), but the continued drive towards clinical excellence at Resthaven has meant that every person who receives services from Resthaven is treated with the highest level of care. It is something I will walk away feeling proud of.’

From midwifery to aged care

Tina began her nursing career in Hobart, Tasmania, training as Registered Nurse and then as a Midwife. She gained her qualifications, married, and as a defence force wife, moved from Hobart to Melbourne and then to Woomera and Canberra over the next 17 years.

While working in Canberra, Tina became involved in the commissioning of the National Capital Private Hospital. When the hospital opened, she moved into the role of Infection Control Officer and After-Hours Manager, dealing with emergency situations and troubleshooting problems that arose after hours.  At the age of just 35 she was appointed to the role of Director of Nursing at the hospital.

Tina stayed in the role for five years, even taking on the position of Acting CEO. But, with the hospital changing ownership, she felt the pull to do something else. 

Around this same time, Tina had a tap on the shoulder for a role in Adelaide at the Wakefield Hospital (now the Calvary Adelaide Hospital).

‘I initially said no, because I wasn’t interested in leaving Canberra, but as time moved on it became more appealing,’ Tina says.

Tina moved to Adelaide to take up the role of Director of Nursing in 2004. She then moved into the role of Director of Clinical Services, as well as the Acting CEO role at times. Looking for a new challenge, after talking with colleagues Tina set her sights on aged care.

‘Aged care was an industry that was growing, and I wanted to make a difference’ Tina says. ‘My mother had recently been admitted to residential care (not with Resthaven), and I could see there were areas where clinical service and overall governance could be improved.’

However, Tina found aged care difficult to break into at the time. She was told she was either overqualified or didn’t have the aged care experience necessary to land the roles she was applying for – including one early application at Resthaven. As a stepping stone, she took on the role of Residential Manager at Helping Hand Aged Care, where she worked for 12 months. She kept in touch with Resthaven and when the role of Senior Manager Residential Services came up in 2009, she applied and was successful in being appointed.

‘Aged care was challenging and new at the time, but not as complex as it is today,’ Tina says.

In January 2011 she was promoted to the role of Executive Manager Residential Services, a position she held for 13 years. During that time Resthaven residential services increased to 1,286 beds, with the development of two greenfield sites at Port Elliot and Aberfoyle Park.

In 2020, Tina assumed responsibility for Resthaven’s retirement village portfolio and led the integration of three retirement village acquisitions to Resthaven; On Statenborough, Chiton and the ACH portfolio of villages, increasing the overall portfolio from 124 to 408 units.

Clinical services was part and parcel of the role and Tina navigated Resthaven through COVID-19 and the Royal Commission.

‘They were really torrid times,’ Tina says. ‘But there was absolute dedication from the team – they were amazing!’

Tina identified that clinical governance was gaining importance, and together with Resthaven CEO, Darren Birbeck, they created a stand-alone role to give this area more attention. In December 2023, Tina was appointed the Executive Manager Clinical Governance and Operational Excellence, bringing together Resthaven’s Clinical Services, Quality , Risk and Business Improvement portfolios.

Relationships that matter

Tina recently attended Resthaven Malvern’s 70^th birthday celebrations, chatting with residents and enjoying the celebrations.

‘I think it’s important for all execs to remember why we are here,’ Tina says. ‘The culture at Resthaven is one of positivity (it’s one of the reasons I have stayed at Resthaven so long). The roots of the culture have remained stable for many years – we are all here for the older people we care for – whether in their homes or in ours. And I think that’s understood by everyone here – people across all positions. We are not here for any other purpose.’

‘I remember speaking with one particular resident who told me how much he appreciated living at Resthaven Paradise and how his health had improved since he had moved in,’ Tina says. ‘He was eating better, and his medication was taken care of. He said, “I’m like a silkworm, cocooned and wrapped in love and care.” They’re the moments that I will always remember.’

Alongside getting to know residents and clients, Tina says that it is her collegial relationships that will remain a standout of her time at Resthaven.

‘I have made life-long friendships here,’ Tina says.

Tina’s 8^th grandchild is due to be born on 20 December. She’s looking forward to having more time to be ‘TT’ to them all.

‘Then, I think it’s a matter of taking stock,’ Tina says. ‘My husband, Ashley, has also just retired, so it will be nice to have the time to think about things for a while. We both have a great interest in wine, so we might head back to the wine regions in France, but we love Australia too and plan to do some fishing and visit family and friends on the east coast of our great country– and I love a road trip.’

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