Shock exit: regional aged care innovator seeks buyer

Highly awarded regional NSW provider McLean Care, which operates six aged care homes in and around Inverell, 575km north of Sydney, is looking to hand over its operations to a new owner.

“Unfortunately, the pressures on aged care providers, especially in regional areas, mean McLean Care’s operations are no longer viable under our current operating model,” said Chair of the McLean Care board, Manuel Meszaros.

“The Board has made the difficult decision to seek new providers and operators of McLean Care’s facilities and services.

“This process will be led by expert financial and legal advisers with support from the Commonwealth Government.

“We will be seeking potential new providers that are aligned to our mission-led ethos, committed to high-quality care and resident wellbeing, and have the financial resources necessary to operate successfully into the future.”

CEO to step down

CEO Sue Thomson, who has been with the awards-winng McLean Care for 17 years including 12 as CEO, will step down from her role “for personal reasons”, effective 12 February.

Experienced aged care industry leader Jill Davidson has been appointed Interim CEO, and will see McLean Care through the transition.

Significant regional community asset

McLean Care was founded in the 1930s. Today, the organisation has 700 staff and operates:

• six aged care homes with a total 370 beds in
  • Inverell, Guyra and Gunnedah in northern NSW and
  • Oakey and Milmerran in southern Queensland
• 82 ILUs co-located with the residential aged care facilities, and
• home care services in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

McLean Care also developed iAge Health, an innovative virtual service connecting people in regional and remote locations with healthcare professionals.

Mr Meszaros said: “The Board would like Sue to have led the organisation through the transition process, but we respect her decision. Sue has made an enormous contribution to McLean Care.”

Once again, a heavier compliance burden, rising costs and wafer-thin operating margins are pushing smaller operators to exit the aged care sector. The question now is: who will step in to buy?