Hot Topic

Epworth HealthCare group Chief Executive Dr Lachlan Henderson answers our burning questions from our latest Hot Topic : Health trends.

You have been at Epworth since 2017. Can you give us a brief overview of the wins and challenges of the last two years?

It’s been a busy time since my arrival at Epworth in 2017. I arrived not long after the opening of our new hospital in Geelong and the significant expansion of our Richmond campus. Both have been a great success and we are now busily planning the next stages of expansion at Geelong and Richmond.As well as developing a new five-year Strategic Plan (2018-22), Epworth is significantly expanding its hospitals in East Melbourne (Epworth Freemasons) and Box Hill (Epworth Eastern). Our physical growth assists Epworth’s aspiration to provide great facilities to care for our patients and their families.

The new Epworth strategy also emphasises Epworth’s role in the community and as an attractive employer – we now employ more than 7,000 people. A focus on our people, innovative care and sustainability are also pivotal to the new Epworth Strategy.

It is a challenging environment for private hospital operators and Epworth is very keen to ensure we provide value for patients with private health insurance. We are also keen to work collaboratively with Government to ensure the health care needs of the entire population are met. I am confident that Epworth is well positioned to respond with energy and innovation to the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead.

As the Group Chief Executive of Victoria’s largest not-for-profit private hospital group, how do you see the business of health changing over the next 10 years?

There is no question that the next 10 years will see a change in how hospital operators respond to current business challenges. Increasing digitisation, care closer to home and out-of-hospital-care are just some of the challenges we face.

Epworth needs to review its role in the community as not just a hospital operator, but as a health care provider to Victorians. Assisted by the very generous philanthropy of the Epworth Medical Foundation, Epworth is also investing in research to ensure we can better cope with the challenges ahead.

With increasing digitisation, comes increasing data. Epworth is working hard to ensure this data is used to improve the way we care for our patients, ultimately resulting in better health outcomes for individuals and the community. As an example of this innovation, Epworth pioneered robotic surgical treatment in Australia over a decade ago and continues to invest in the latest technologies to better support our doctors and patients.

We hear so much about new digital and medical technologies in the health sector. In your opinion, what is/will be the biggest game changer in business terms for the sector?

At Epworth we continue to look at how we can advance and grow by investing in cutting-edge new technologies that are designed to improve patient outcomes, as well as assist the business of health in the context of a reduced length of stay in hospital. Discharge planning and out of hospital care are increasingly important. The Epworth Medical Foundation continues to help our doctors to deliver the latest innovative equipment, research funding and facilities for our staff and specialists. Whether its new equipment for surgery or funding new research to fight cancer, Epworth is at the forefront. We’ve also seen a huge growth in our social and online media program that is allowing Epworth to reach more people and continue to attract more patients to our services.

With new medicines, new technologies and new ways of doing business, what is the health workforce of the future going to look like?

The future health workforce needs to be technologically adept while not losing sight of the skills needed to interact with patients and provide great care at the bedside. Technology can support these interactions, but patients still need to experience the compassionate care for which Epworth is renowned. New technology and equipment also assist our specialists to provide great outcomes for our patients. Bedside technology in our hospitals helps to improve our patients’ experience at Epworth. Doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners are increasingly digitally savvy and Epworth needs to invest in technology to support their care of our patients.

As Chair of the Victorian Chamber’s Health Taskforce, what do you see as the top challenges and opportunities for Victoria’s health industry going forward?

Our health industry is dealing with an ageing population with increasing health care needs, so responding to the demand for health care is an ongoing challenge for providers. In terms of the Victorian Chamber, members are pondering solutions that involve a ‘whole of sector’ approach and it is good to see government recognising the important role the private sector plays. The other big challenge is to ensure operators respond to the technology needs of doctors, staff and patients. This requires an investment by groups like Epworth, but also greater collaboration across the sector to ensure patients have better integration between their health care providers.

What action should governments and industry take in response to those challenges and opportunities?

Governments play an important role as providers, funders and regulators. While the majority recognise the importance of the private sector, there are significant opportunities for better collaboration. The Victorian Government’s role in initiatives such as Safer Care Victoria is applauded, including its collaboration with private hospital operators. Pharmacy, pathology, radiology and suppliers also have a role to play as partners in our success.