Insights into the Multifaceted Challenges facing Australia’s Health Workforce
Leading demographer, Simon Kuestenmacher features in our latest Member exclusive Masterclass.
We had the pleasure of welcoming back Mr Simon Kuestenmacher at our recent Member-exclusive Masterclass on the topic, ‘Demographic Challenges Facing Healthcare Leaders in 2024’.
Simon Kuestenmacher is a Director and Co-founder of The Demographics Group based in Melbourne, Australia. The group provides specialist advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business, education, retail and government. Simon has presented to numerous corporate and industry audiences across Australia and overseas on demographic trends, consumer insights and cultural change in Australia.
One of the central themes of the masterclass was the impending staff shortage in healthcare. Kuestenmacher highlighted the demographic reality of Australia's aging population, with the baby boomer generation retiring from the workforce in large numbers. This departure, coupled with a smaller cohort of younger workers entering the profession, poses significant challenges for healthcare organisations in terms of staffing and talent retention.
Moreover, the masterclass shed light on the critical role of migration in mitigating the workforce shortage. With close to two and a half million people expected to immigrate to Australia over the next decade, migration emerges as a crucial strategy for augmenting the healthcare workforce. However, Kuestenmacher cautioned that this influx of migrant workers presents its own set of challenges, including housing shortages and affordability crises in urban centres.
“You might run a hospital a facility in a reasonably expensive city suburb and find staff that is willing to work for you because you have good work conditions, but if there's no housing close by there is no way you can find workers.” says Kuestenmacher.
Explored throughout discussions was the generational dynamics within the healthcare workforce. From the pragmatic approach of Gen X to the entrepreneurial spirit of Millennials, Kuestenmacher highlighted the need for healthcare organisations to adapt their recruitment and retention strategies to cater to diverse generational preferences.
"It's time to innovate and radically rethink how we can provide a better service with a reduced workforce,”
"Utilise AI robotics technology wherever appropriate in a manner that allows the existing workers to work more efficiently,”
“How can your nurses be assisted through technology that they need to spend less time doing paperwork? You will need to squeeze more actual medical hours out of every single staff member that you have.” says Kuestenmacher.
By understanding and adapting to demographic shifts, embracing innovation, and prioritising employee well-being, healthcare organisations can navigate these challenges and pave the way for a resilient and sustainable future in healthcare delivery.
Thank you to Simon for bringing invaluable demographic insights that affect Australia's healthcare workforce.
Want more insightful conversations like these?
Members can access the recording of this Masterclass featuring Simon Kuestenmacher on resources section of the Member Portal here.
You can also access our webinar library of past Masterclasses on the ACHS Improvement Academy e-Learning Platform. Simply register for free to access these insightful discussions here.
