The Royal Newcastle Hospital Heritage Trust, in conjunction with the University of Newcastle Foundation, annually awards a visiting fellowship to a prominent scholar to visit and teach in Newcastle.

The Fellowship is awarded on the basis of innovative and outstanding performance in health scholarship, clinical achievement, health services and/or research relevant to at least one of the values associated with the Royal Newcastle Hospital.  The perpetual fellowship serves as a legacy to the values of RNH and honours the hospital’s role in the improvement of healthcare for the Hunter Valley and beyond.

 2012 Fellowship and Oration

The 2012 Fellowship has been awarded to Leon Flicker, Professor of Geriatric Medicine, and Director of the Western Australian Centre for Health & Ageing, at the University of Western Australia

Professor Flicker will deliver the 2012 RNH Heritage Oration, entitled
“Challenges of an Ageing Australia”

The baby boomer generation has now joined the over 65s, and the structure of Australian society is being altered to an ageing population.  Despite the negative views of ageing held by many, most analyses have demonstrated that Australian society is in a relatively good position to adjust to this demographic change. However, some challenges remain.

Health services for older people will have the largest proportionate increase in expenditure over the next 40 years.  There will be a disproportionate three-fold increase in the numbers of people over the age of 85 years.  It is the health problems of this group that will drive the major challenges of an ageing population.  This explains why the goal of “Ageing well, ageing productively” is now a major priority for the nation.

Free Public Lecture August 1st,  6.30 pm at the Royal Newcastle Centre Lecture Theatre, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle.