As part of our end-of-year reporting, Inside Ageing is currently asking CEOs and leaders from across the aged care and retirement living space for their views on the year that just was and expectations for 2024. If you would like to share your views email our news desk: news@insideageing.com.au
In this first of these Q&As, we speak with Bolton Clarke Group’s CEO, Stephen Muggleton.
Q1. What was your highlight/s for 2023?
The best highlight was tangible and overdue recognition of aged care staff. The Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase minimum wages by 15% was terrific. The Government’s subsequent decision to provide funding for that increase was wonderful and we proudly passed on every dollar we received to our hard-working front-line staff.
Behind that, I was pleased to see the incredibly complex business and service integration of the McKenzie and Allity portfolios into the larger Bolton Clarke Group achieved while maintaining focus on care and service performance.
I was delighted to see our investments into workplace health and safety, training and education, and management development producing record retention rates and levels of staff engagement. These programs and their success also attracted Employer of Choice recognition at the Australian Business Awards.
Q2. What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I’m looking forward to the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations and the new Aged Care Act. They represent opportunities to create a stable and sustainable operating environment that will ultimately translate into better care for vulnerable ageing Australians. (I just hope recommended changes get the necessary Opposition and cross-bench support)
I’d love to see a reduction in the tsunami of regulatory reporting that has swamped providers. The increased burden over the past few years has not been funded and it diverts time and attention away from care.…perhaps wishful thinking….
Within Bolton Clarke, I’m looking forward to opening our newest retirement village in Bundoora and achieving development approvals for new sites in Coorparoo, New Farm, Cleveland, and the Gold Coast.
Q3. What book/s will you be reading over the summer holiday break?
Patrick Lencioni’s – 6 types of working genius and Frankie Russo’s Breaking Why.
