Health Practice Insights

In this episode I speak with Dr Alex Manson, who chose a career in research over clinical practice.

You'll hear about Alex's field of interest, what a career in research looks like, collaborations, mentors, and how her research is opening doors for allied health professionals and improving children's health across Australia.

• Dr. Alex Manson's career path from dietetics to research
• The impact of school-provided meals on child health
• Community involvement in school nutrition programs
• The benefits of nutritious school meals beyond dietetics
• Australian policies on school food and international comparisons
• Challenges and opportunities in implementing school meal programs
• Research methods in public health nutrition
• The role of community and local sourcing in school food

(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Alex Manson and her background

(02:06) Deciding on dietetics and exploring career pathways

(04:27) Honours research on children's school food intake

(07:42) Research findings on children's nutrition and public health impact

(08:34) The importance of early intervention and school settings

(10:02) Support systems and mentorship in research

(11:25) Australian school food policies compared internationally

(12:49) Benefits of school meals for development and environment

(13:46) Current programs like Kickstart for Kids and their role

(14:42) Considerations in creating school meal programs

(16:06) A universal but tailored approach to school meals

(17:31) Parental interest and preferences for school meals

(22:42) Food literacy and integrating nutrition education

(24:07) A typical week in Dr. Manson’s research and advocacy work

(25:33) Surprising aspects of research and career insights

(26:29) Challenges in research funding and career sustainability

(27:53) Advocacy and growth in the school food sector

(30:45) Next steps for expanding school meal programs

(33:35) Feedback mechanisms and community engagement in research

(34:30) Closing remarks and future outlook for school nutrition in Australia

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Disclaimer. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. You should consult your professional advisors for specific advice relating to your situation.

Physiotherapist Daniel Lee talks about his first five years as a private practice owner - Any Stage Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine, in Sydney, Australia.

You’ll hear how Daniel built his referral networks early on, his first clinic, employing his first staff member, the challenges he’s faced, and the opportunities along the way.

From a solo practitioner, creating a business plan, building a professional support team, winning contracts, managing a team of healthcare professionals, Daniel is building a sustainable and successful business.

We discuss what the practice looks like now, including clinical presentations and patient acquisition strategies, and we also hear the role the Australian Physiotherapy Association has, and continues to have in his practice’s success.

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C2M Consulting

Disclaimer. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. You should consult your professional advisors for specific advice relating to your situation.

Cecilia White, HR Consultant and Director at Perks People Solutions explores the evolving expectations of both new and existing staff, offering actionable strategies for employers to adapt and thrive in today’s competitive environment.

The discussion covers how to become an employer of choice by focusing on organisational culture, values, and leadership, and highlights the importance of having robust HR policies in place.

1. Ongoing Talent Shortage. Finding high quality staff is increasingly difficult across the health sector, with heightened competition and rising salary expectations, especially among early career professionals

2. Evolving Workplace Laws and Compliance. Employers face more complex workplace relations and legal obligations, including new psychosocial hazard and sexual harassment laws that require proactive, preventative measures

3. Health Sector-Specific Challenges. The health sector faces unique issues such as the ‘brain drain’, competition with public sector and interstate salaries, and difficulty accessing reliable salary benchmarking data

4. Burnout as a Major Risk. Burnout is a significant concern for health professionals, driven by long hours, high stress, and workplace pressures, making retention a challenge for employers

5. Flexibility is Essential. Flexible work arrangements - including four-day work weeks, flexible hours, additional leave, and work-from-home options - are now expected and can help attract and retain staff

6. Leadership and Culture Matter. Strong, emotionally intelligent leadership and a positive, inclusive workplace culture are critical for staff engagement and long-term retention

7. Building a Strong Employee Value Proposition. Employers should define and promote their unique value proposition, focusing on culture, compensation, flexibility, and career development opportunities to stand out as an employer of choice

8. Importance of Solid HR Policies. Clear, compliant, and contemporary HR policies signal professionalism and help attract quality candidates while supporting a positive workplace environment

Cecilia White is a Human Resources Consultant and Director at Perks People Solutions - a leading provider of outsourced HR and recruitment services. Cecilia has 25 years’ experience in human resources and employment law.

Perks People Solutions

(08) 8273 7804

[email protected]

www.ppsconsulting.com.au

Host: Wallace Long

Guest: Cecilia White

Tan J et al. (2025) Trends in retention and attrition in nine regulated health professions in Australia. Australian Health Review 49, AH24268. Doi:10.1071/AH24268

Use this link to request the following resources

• Ep 2. Becoming an Employer of Choice, Cecilia White - Podcast summary (PDF)
• Subscribe to the free Health Practice Insights Email Newsletter

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This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. You should consult your professional advisors for specific advice relating to your situation.

In this episode of the Health Practice Insights podcast, host Wallace Long speaks with business advisor and chartered accountant Philip Arnfield.

Philip shares practical strategies for health practice owners to address their biggest business challenges. The conversation covers pricing for profitability, becoming an employer of choice, customer segmentation, and the crucial distinction between compliance and advisory services.

Whether you're a sole trader, small or medium sized practice, this episode is a must listen.

• Price Strategically for Profitability: Don’t just absorb rising costs - review and adjust your pricing to ensure you can invest in your people and maintain a profitable practice
• Become an Employer of Choice: Attract and retain quality staff by offering a valued work environment, professional development, competitive earnings, and modern facilities
• Segment Your Customers: Analyse your patient base by payer type and value, and manage appointment bookings to ensure higher value clients aren’t crowded out by lower - paying ones
• Leverage Your Team: Recognise the critical role of front desk staff in shaping profitability through strategic diary management and customer prioritisation

Philip Arnfield is a chartered accountant and business advisor with over three decades of experience. After selling his successful chartered accounting practice, Philip now advises businesses and delivers his ‘How to Build a Better Business’ training programs across Australia to small businesses and accounting firms.

00:00 – Welcome

02:00 – Guest Introduction

03:00 – Main Challenges Facing Health Practices

04:00 – How Businesses Are Responding

05:00 – Research Insights & Attracting Patients

06:00 – The Simple Business Equation

07:00 – Accountants vs. Business Advisors

09:00 – Becoming an Employer of Choice

10:30 – The Cost of Being an Employer of Choice

11:00 – Pricing and Profitability

12:00 – Health Sector Pricing Mindset

13:00 – Customer Segmentation

14:00 – Diary Management & Receptionist’s Role

15:00 – Hidden Sales & Marketing Issues

16:00 – Practical Strategies

• Host: Wallace Long
• Guest: Philip Arnfield

Unearthing drivers of patient demand and practice productivity. CommBank Dental Insights 2024. Australian Dental Association 2024.

General Practice Health of the Nation 2024 - an annual insight into the state of Australian general practice. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2024.

Build a Better Business

Use this link to request the following resources

• Ep 1. Increasing Practice Profitability Philip Arnfield CA - Podcast summary (PDF)
• Subscribe to the free Health Practice Insights Email Newsletter

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Wallace Long

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. You should consult your professional advisors for specific advice relating to your situation.

Hi, I’m Wallace Long and welcome to the Health Practice Insights Podcast.

The podcast that brings you the business knowledge that matters most.

Join us for insightful interviews with leading experts as Health Practice Owners discover fresh perspectives, the latest insights and growth strategies for their practice.

In 2024 separate health sector research by the CommBank and RACGP (1,2) highlighted the main challenges faced by Health Practice Owners.

• increasing business costs
• business profitability
• sourcing and retaining health professional and support staff
• growing and maintaining patient numbers
• keeping up with new technology

In this podcast I’ll be speaking with leading experts in the fields of finance, law, technology, human resources and marketing.

I’ll be reaching out to health associations to gain their perspective, and look forward to speaking with health business owners to hear their approach to tackling these challenges in their businesses.

The Health Practice Insights podcast is bought to you by C2M Consulting, marketing advisors to health sector.

If you’d like to find out more about this podcast you can jump on our website www.healthpracticeinsights.com.au

(1) Unearthing drivers of patient demand and practice productivity. CommBank Dental Insights 2024. Australian Dental Association 2024. (2) General Practice Health of the Nation 2024 - an annual insight into the state of Australian general practice. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2024.

Apple Podcasts

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C2M Consulting

Wallace Long

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. You should consult your professional advisors for specific advice relating to your situation.