Onward & Outward – March 2024

As Autumn approaches, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for the trust and partnership you’ve extended to us amidst the dynamic pace of 2024. Your support is fundamental, and I thank each one of you.

Exciting developments are happening in the progress of McLean Care’s subsidiary business, our innovative iAgeHealth platform. iAgeHealth, a virtual clinical hub, places health professionals directly at the bedside of older individuals, offering on-demand access to diagnostics and personalised treatment plans, regardless of location. I am thrilled to share that we have recently confirmed the onboarding of the Roper Gulf Regional Council in the Northern Territory through our iAgeHealth initiative.

This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and delivery across Australia, with a specific focus on enhancing services for First Nations communities.

The Roper Gulf Region, with its 14 communities and townships covering 210,000 square kilometres and home to 6,486 residents, 70% of whom identify as First Nations people, presents both a unique opportunity and a profound responsibility. Historically, the vast distances have posed challenges in providing timely clinical assessments and treatments, with some community members waiting upwards of 18 months for necessary healthcare services. Our mission with iAgeHealth is to bridge these gaps, offering comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and respectful clinical support services.

In March 2024, we began introducing additional services iAgeHealth such as OT assessment and planning, physiotherapy, dietetics, group exercise classes, and speech pathology. These services will be complemented by robust research and tracking to monitor and report on the health outcomes for the communities within the Roper Region.

Please join me in welcoming the Roper Regional Council to our McLean Care family. I am excited about the journey ahead and the positive outcomes we will achieve together.

Looking ahead, changes in our industry, including a new Aged Care Act, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, and a new Regulatory Model set to take effect on 1 July 2024, underscore the evolving landscape of Aged Care services in Australia. Rest assured, our commitment to you remains steadfast – not just to meet but to exceed these new standards in service quality and care.

International Women’s Day was recognised on March 8th. It was great to recognise and celebrate with so many amazing women we serve at McLean Care and those who are a part of our team. We feel privileged to care for so many women with incredible life journeys, providing ongoing inspiration for the work that we do, and those women behind the scenes, ensuring we provide exceptional standards of service delivery.

These outstanding women on the McLean Care team who care for you, their strength, dedication, and leadership are invaluable to our success and the wellbeing. Our journey ahead is exciting and we are glad you are with us along the way.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Sue Thomson – Chief Executive Officer