Aged care provider halves staff turnover with automation and more briefs

Aged care provider halves staff turnover with automation

Not-for-profit aged care provider Southern Cross Care Queensland has modernised its workforce management processes amid reforms across the aged care sector. 

It recently implemented a suite of solutions from Humanforce, including for time and attendance, rostering and scheduling, and financial wellbeing, as well as an employee application. Based on a media release, the implementation resulted in reduced staff turnover, from 40% over the past four years to 17%. 

The 40-year-old aged care provider runs 13 homes and five retirement villages, manned by over 1,300 staff. The organisation needed to replace its previous rostering system, which was at its end of life, as it dealt with challenges posed by sector-wide reforms.

Free telehealth launched in Sydney

The state government of New South Wales has extended free virtual healthcare service to Sydney. 

The service, which can be accessed via HealthDirect, will provide care for urgent but non-life threatening conditions, including coughs, colds, and flu; respiratory symptoms; diarrhoea; and minor rashes. 

The NSW government expects the service to save 85,000 unnecessary waits in emergency departments each year.

Free telehealth has been part of government initiatives to address ED pressures. Over the past two years, free urgent virtual care services have been delivered to children and adults; telestroke and rural telehealth services have also been launched. 

Virtual hand therapy consults live in Western Australia

WA Country Health Service has started piloting a new virtual specialist hand therapy service. 

Running in two phases over 12 months, the pilot service will provide virtual co-consultations with local physicians and patients.

Based on a media release, co-consultation appointments will be booked following triage of e-referrals to the Telehands Clinic