Hunter Ageing Alliance's John Ward named NSW Senior Australian of the Year

John Ward, a geriatrician and co-founder of Hunter Ageing Alliance, has been awarded the NSW Senior Australian of the Year 2024.

Ward is also a member of the Primary Health Network’s (PHN) Hunter Manning Clinical Council and Palliative Care and care for older people reference group.

Ward has devoted his life to providing outstanding medical care for disadvantaged people and ageing Australians — often at personal cost and with little recognition, the PHN said in a statement congratulating him.

As director of the Prison Medical Service, he provided care to inmates — despite few resources — and advocated for prison reform to protect this vulnerable group, the statement said.

“Focusing on geriatric medicine and aged care since the mid-1980s, he advocates for older Australians and the importance of social determinants of health such as social connection, exercise and accessible environments.

“His integrated, collaborative approach to dementia care for patients and their carers has made the Hunter region a leader in this field.”

The Hunter Ageing Alliance has eight programs in planning or implementation stage to create age-friendly communities, tackle elder abuse and end social isolation of older people, the PHN said.

Image caption: 2024 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW John Ward. Image ©Salty Dingo 2023.