Aged Care Insite Issue 92 | December 2015 - January 2016 | Page 8

news

companies into a yet-to-be-named single
entity, said the move brought together
“two organisations from a genuine position
of strength and compatibility”.
“We are multiplying our capability and
reach of service by bringing together two
innovative and trusted organisations,”
Muggleton said. “The new merged
organisation will be beautifully positioned
to provide a range of flexible services
to a growing aged population across
Australasia. The broad range of clinical
services also allows the organisation to

provide practical solutions like chronic
disease management, hospital avoidance
programs, transition care and rehabilitation
for local hospital networks and primary
health networks.”
In addition to supporting about
25,000 customers each day, the merger
of the two companies would create a
combined asset base of more than $1
billion. A timeline or proposed target date
for the completion of the merger was not
included in the announcement.
RDNS board chairman Paul Montgomery
said with the Australian aged-care sector in
the midst of unprecedented change, there
are enormous growth opportunities for
both companies.
“The move to consumer directed care,
advances in technology, and the demands
of an ageing population are transforming
the landscape in which we work,” he said.
“We can best respond to [the resulting]
opportunities by merging to become a
bigger and stronger organisation.”
In a statement announcing the move,
the companies stated that the merger
would be managed “in a way that ensures
total continuity of services for clients and
residents of RDNS and RSL Care, plus
stability for employees”. ■

as part of a new partnership between
RDNS and Bowls Australia.
RDNS nurses and educators will provide
health and wellness sessions to thousands of
people across Australia as they visit bowling
clubs in every state and talk with groups
about issues including skin care, first aid and
CPR, nutrition and positive ageing.

RDNS executive general manager Dan
Woods said: “This is a unique way to
share important health information with
people in a relaxed environment outside
the formal health system. It is … designed
to help people learn how to stay healthy,
look after the people around them, and
continue to get the most out of life as they
grow older.”
Each session will involve practical
advice and everyday strategies for health
knowledge and supporting participants in
getting the most out of life. For example,
one such session will focus on “how skin
changes over time and how to prevent and
manage skin tears”, Woods said.
Bowls Australia chief executive Neil
Dalrymple said the sessions would be
an opportunity for players and other
community members to gain more
information on their own health and, for
some, the health of those in their care.
“More than 600,000 people play bowls
regularly around Australia each year and
more than half of those are aged over 60,”
Dalrymple said. “Bowls Australia wants
them to be fit and healthy for years to
come. Participating in sport is a great first
step but there are lots of other things we
can do to stay in good shape.” ■

RSL-RDNS to employ 6000+
Stephen Muggleton

Upcoming merger to create
entity that will support
25,000 clients a day.

T

wo of Australia’s largest
not-for-profit aged-care providers
– RSL Care and the RDNS – have
announced plans to merge, creating a
combined workforce of more than 6000.
RSL Care chief executive Stephen
Muggleton, who has been given
responsibility for combining two

Lawn treatment
RDNS, Bowls Australia team
up to deliver tips for good
health amid games.

A
8

ustralian lawn bowlers will learn
about skin care, nutrition and
positive ageing in between games

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