Whiddon adopts Telstra Health tech to modernise care

Whiddon has selected Telstra Health to supply residential aged care software across its network of 23 aged care homes in New South Wales and southeast Queensland, as providers face tighter compliance requirements and heavier administrative workloads.

The not-for-profit provider operates in regional, rural and remote communities across the two states. The rollout includes Telstra Health's Clinical Manager product, with integrations for Message Manager and CareKeeper.

Regulatory pressure on residential aged care services has increased since expanded compliance requirements were introduced last year. Sector performance against the Quality Standards remains mixed, with 83% of residential services meeting the standards in 2024-25, according to figures cited by Telstra Health. Providers have also reported workforce shortages and increasing care complexity, adding pressure to frontline staff and management teams.

Higher expectations have increased documentation and assessment demands. Vendors have promoted digital systems as a way to centralise information, reduce duplicate work, and keep records audit-ready for internal oversight and external reviews.

Software scope

Clinical Manager is designed for residential aged care. It supports assessments, care planning, and compliance tasks, using a centralised record structure that allows staff to capture and retrieve information during care delivery.

Developed with input from Telstra Health's clinical excellence team, the system is intended to align with changes in aged care regulation. Telstra Health says it can streamline administrative tasks and improve staff access to resident information across a facility.

Whiddon is also implementing Message Manager, described as a communications tool for sharing updates with residents' families and carers, and rolling out CareKeeper, a mobile app for care staff. Telstra Health says CareKeeper lets workers view tasks and record care activity in real time while on the floor.

Provider response

Whiddon's Chief Operating Officer, Alyson Jarrett, said the partnership is part of a broader systems modernisation effort.

"At Whiddon, we're dedicated to enriching lives and making a real difference through our commitment to quality care, research, and positive ageing," Jarrett said. "Partnering with Telstra Health supports our vision for aged care that's compassionate, personalised, and empowered by technology, enabling our teams to focus on resident wellbeing. This is about strengthening our care model and ensuring our people have the tools they need to continue delivering meaningful, relationship-based care."

Jarrett also pointed to operational drivers behind the decision, including data accessibility and integration across sites.

"We identified the need to modernise our systems to enhance data accessibility and integration, while meeting evolving care and compliance requirements," she said. "To achieve a robust, reliable, and future-ready solution, we partnered with Telstra Health to support our broader transformation journey and ensure the delivery of high-quality care across our homes."

Telstra Health position

Telstra Health framed the agreement as part of a broader shift as aged care providers adapt to new expectations for reporting, documentation, and consistent care processes.

Stephen Tuffley, Sales, Marketing and Communications Executive at Telstra Health, said, "We're excited to support Whiddon as they take this important step towards modernising their residential aged care systems. Every efficiency gained means more time for residents. For providers like Whiddon, who strive to exceed the new strengthened standards and focus on person-centred care, they need more than just software - it calls for a future-ready, robust digital infrastructure."

The agreement adds to a growing list of technology deployments in residential aged care, as providers balance compliance obligations with staffing constraints and increasing clinical complexity. Digital record systems are a key tool for large and mid-sized operators managing care planning, incident reporting, and documentation across multiple sites.

Whiddon describes itself as digitally mature and says it will continue investing in secure, modern systems. It said the focus will remain on delivering relationship-based aged care across its homes as operational and compliance expectations continue to rise.