Err . . . No Conflict of Interest Here, At All?

In February 2022, one Carolyn Cooper was appointed as New Zealand’s inaugural Aged Care Commissioner "to lead much needed systemic change in the sector" . . . so went a media release by Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Health, Ayesha Verrall.

“All New Zealanders need to be able to access safe and quality health care. Our country has an ageing population and we expect demand for aged care services to increase,” Dr Verrall said.

“There are many positive stories from older New Zealanders who use aged care services (REALLY?? What media pool flack wrote THAT?), however there are times when the care falls short."   YA THINK? Have a go at this, this and this, Dr Verrall.

“Several reports have identified issues in aged care services, ranging from the complexity of the complaints process, to people fearing repercussions if they raise issues, and the lack of visibility around services provided by home and community support providers."

"Several reports", Dr Verrall? Really, just how many is "several" in your estimation?

Verrall's news release went on:  “I’m pleased to appoint Ms Cooper as the Aged Care Commissioner to champion the rights of our most vulnerable. Ms Cooper has over 40 years of experience across health systems in both New Zealand and Australia."

What Verrall's news release conveniently omits to mention is this . . . from Ms Cooper's career history on LinkedIn i.e.:

BUPA (5 years)

Managing Director NZ (i.e. BUPA!)

Aug 2019 - Mar 2022   

Chief Operating Officer - Chief Operating Officer - Lead Nurse   (i.e. BUPA!)

Dec 2017 - Sept. 2019   New Zealand

Chief Operating Officer Australia   (i.e. BUPA!)

Nov 2018 - Jul 2019   

Seconded to COO role Australia

Director Clinical Operations and Service Improvement  (i.e. BUPA!)

July 2017 - Dec 2017  New Zealand

Director Of Clinical Services Improvement and Lead Nurse  (i.e. BUPA!)

Apr 2017 - Dec 2017      New Zealand

So - as far as the investigation of the aged care service provision sector in New Zealand goes - Ms Cooper doesn't have to go very far back in time, before she's effectively investigating herself - as the captain of the ship. Or the BUPA ship, at least.

And - as far as the newly-announced Australian class action law suit against BUPA goes - her resume indicates she was BUPA Australia's Chief Operating Officer for at least the first month of the period covered by that class action suit i.e. July 2019  . . . before, coincidentally, her resume shows she left the following month i.e. in August 2019.

(Oh, and she's also an experienced political lobbyist, according to an earlier CV entry. Good-oh.)

So . . . no compromise or conflict of interest there, Dr Verrall? Just the resume to qualify Ms Cooper to be the "important industry watchdog" you laud the appointment as being?