The most insightful part of the royal commission analysis to me is the comparison to the healthcare system. “Under Medicare all Australians are entitled to receive the healthcare that they need. This is not the case for aged care.”

Think about this for a minute – our elderly turn up to the aged care system and will not necessarily receive the care they need or be told it could be available in three years. Not acceptable.

So, first, this must start with government. Governments have to believe that every person matters, and deserves the care they need. With this belief will come the policies and funding needed.

Second, noting there are more than 3000 pages in the royal commission report, there are many important recommendations. The role of providers in accepting accountability of performance and providing transparent data to enable users to make informed choices is important. As is the need for the regulator to have increased capability and to manage for a culture of continuous improvement. Even the need for an independent pricing authority.

However, I think the most important point is summarised as this:

Workforce. Workforce. Workforce.

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We have an army of angels across Australia caring for the elderly with all their hearts despite the daily restrictions. We as a nation owe them gratitude beyond words. They need support. I saw this for myself a couple of weeks ago when I joined our care staff at one of our homes. What it showed me was how our care staff go beyond the call of duty. Working tirelessly, day and night, to deliver the love and care our residents deserve.

As the commission says, “A highly skilled, well rewarded and valued aged care workforce is vital to the success of any future aged care system. We have heard about the dedication and passion of aged care workers.”

Take one of our home care workers, Marlene, whose car broke down while on her way to a palliative care home visit. She didn’t give it a second thought and simply hopped out of her car and headed off on foot – all six kilometres – to provide care and compassion for our client. As Marlene says, she didn’t do it for a “pat on the back”, but because “you should treat people like they belong to you”.

There are not enough staff. They have not had enough training. They are not paid what they deserve and well below their peers in disability and health.

They matter and we must address this to attract the extra 80,000 workers needed for the sector by 2030.

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“Life is to be lived,” Royal Commissioner Lynelle Briggs said in the final report. “No matter how old we are, how frail or incapacitated we might be, how rich or poor, we all have the fundamental right to wellbeing, enjoyment and fulfilment as we age.”

These words say it all. If government finds the priority to finally address the challenges in aged care we will be a stronger country. These won’t be words on a page; they will be a daily reality.

What an ambition – to help heal a broken heart, a broken nation.

Mike Baird is the chief executive of HammondCare, a not-for-profit aged care provider, and a former Liberal premier of NSW.