While the provision of healthcare in our region is undergoing increasing problems alongside growing population numbers and over-capacity facilities, the team at Zenith simply just wants to investigate how we can all help.

In these panel discussions, we will delve into some of the following topics :

• The relationship between evidence-based design and evidence-based medical thinking

• The changing nature of ‘best practice’ for the A+D community involved in the healthcare sector

• The role A+D can play in responding to the needs of all stakeholders from patient through to practitioner

• How the A+D community can leverage its creative input to alleviate strains upon the provision of health in our region in the near and distant future

We are excited to announce the three distinguished and talented speakers that will make up the breakfast panel discussion.

Lisa Biddiscombe - The Peppermint Room

Lisa is an Interior Designer with over 20 years experience, with a passion for childcare, health, aged care, education and corporate sectors. Creativity, strong relationships and collaboration are the hallmarks of her approach to all projects.

Graduating from Queensland University of Technology with Honors in 1995, Lisa worked for Nettleton Tribe Partnership (Brisbane) and Bligh Voller Nield (Canberra) where she developed a complete range of design, documentation and project coordination skills whilst working on Government and Private Business projects.

While starting a family, Lisa was invited to lecture at CIT which lead to nearly 10 years of teaching and mentoring Interior Design and Building Design students; eventually becoming the course co-ordinator for these programs. Lisa still has a passion for teaching.

Lisa was approached to manage The Peppermint Room in 2012 and this fit with her desire to ensure her teaching material was still relevant to the developing interior design industry.

In 2013 Lisa became a Director of SQC Architecture (the parent company of TPR) and is now focused on the development of The Peppermint Room, including her business acumen and team leadership.

Vanessa Brady - ACT Government

Vanessa has 18 years commercial property experience in senior client side roles in project management and program management. She is also experienced in change management and delivery of complex programs and projects, including the commissioning of health facilities.

Working directly in the delivery of healthcare environments both in an acute and community setting having been Project Director for the Staging and Decanting Bundle, Canberra Hospital Essential Works, Dhulwa Mental Health Unit, and recently the Executive Director for the University of Canberra Public Hospital.

Vanessa has mostly recently established a program management office within ACT Health to manage the $1.2 billion investment planned for health projects in the ACT, which are to be delivered over the next 5 years.  The scope of this investment program includes acute health, community health, mental health and justice health projects spread across the geographic region of Canberra.

Amanda Elderkin - HSPC Health Architects

Amanda is the Interior Designer for HSPC Health Architects. Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in health & aged care. Starting her career in the UK, Amanda gained invaluable skills working with HMC Group, national leaders in the health care industry, as their lead interior designer. During this time, she was part of the team that was recognised with two major awards, including that of best regional care provider in the country. Her dedication to exceptional design contributed to four outstanding ratings from the Care Quality Commission (UK).

Her industry-specific knowledge ensures that she delivers projects that are sympathetic to the environment and meet the complexities of public and private healthcare requirements.

Moderator:  Alex Sloan 

Alex Sloan has been a journalist and broadcaster with the ABC for 25 years. She has worked for ABC Rural, Radio National and now ABC Local Radio 666 Canberra. She also broadcasts nationally for the Australian of the Year announcements and is the first female broadcaster to back-fill for Richard Fidler on the National Conversations program. Alex is known for her warm and engaging interview style and has won respect for firm but fair questioning. She has presented 666 Drive, Weekends, Mornings and currently presents the Afternoons program on 666 ABC Canberra.

We look forward to you joining us, as we share insights into how we can design for better health.

Click here to RSVP.