Aged Care Provider Halves Staff Turnover with Automation
Workforce Management Modernization
Not-for-profit aged care provider Southern Cross Care Queensland has modernized its workforce management processes amid reforms across the aged care sector. The organization has implemented a suite of solutions from Humanforce, including time and attendance, rostering and scheduling, and financial wellbeing, as well as an employee application.
Implementation Results
The implementation resulted in reduced staff turnover, from 40% over the past four years to 17%. This significant decrease in staff turnover is a testament to the effectiveness of the new system in addressing the challenges posed by sector-wide reforms.
Organization Overview
Southern Cross Care Queensland runs 13 homes and five retirement villages, manned by over 1,300 staff. The organization needed to replace its previous rostering system, which was at the end of its life, and was struggling to cope with the challenges posed by sector-wide reforms.
Free Telehealth Launched in Sydney
The state government of New South Wales has extended free virtual healthcare services 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.
Government Expectations
The NSW government expects the service to save 85,000 unnecessary waits in emergency departments each year. This is part of the government’s initiatives to address ED pressures, which have seen the launch of free urgent virtual care services for children and adults, as well as telestroke and rural telehealth services over the past two years.
Virtual Hand Therapy Consults Live in Western Australia
WA Country Health Service has started piloting a new virtual specialist hand therapy service. The pilot service will provide virtual co-consultations with local physicians and patients and will run in two phases over 12 months.
Conclusion
The implementation of automation solutions by Southern Cross Care Queensland has resulted in a significant reduction in staff turnover, from 40% to 17%. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the new system in addressing the challenges posed by sector-wide reforms. The launch of free telehealth services in Sydney and the piloting of virtual hand therapy consults in Western Australia demonstrate the growing importance of technology in the healthcare sector.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of automation in workforce management?
A: Automation can lead to reduced staff turnover, improved efficiency, and increased productivity.
Q: What are the goals of the free telehealth service in Sydney?
A: The service aims to provide care for urgent but non-life threatening conditions and to reduce unnecessary waits in emergency departments.
Q: What is the purpose of the virtual hand therapy pilot in Western Australia?
A: The pilot aims to provide virtual co-consultations with local physicians and patients to improve access to specialist hand therapy services.

