AB Health Group

15/06/2026

A few of us in the office were chatting about wearable health devices and whether they're one of the best things to happen to healthcare, or whether they're creating a whole new generation of health obsession.

It actually got me thinking.

Today, millions of people wake up and immediately check their sleep score. Throughout the day they're tracking steps, heart rate, calories burned, stress levels, hydration and recovery. We have more information about our health than any generation before us, and in many ways that's a wonderful thing. Better awareness can lead to better decisions. It can encourage movement, improve sleep habits and help people take greater ownership of their wellbeing.

But I also wonder if we're becoming a little too reliant on technology to tell us how we feel.

I've spoken to people who wake up feeling refreshed and energised, only to discover their watch says they had a poor night's sleep. Suddenly they start questioning their own body. Others become anxious because a stress score appears high, creating more stress than they had in the first place.

After more than 30 years working in healthcare, I believe wearable technology is one of the most exciting advancements we've seen. The data is valuable and the insights are powerful, but technology should support our health, not define it.

A watch can tell you your heart rate, count your steps and estimate your sleep quality. What it can't measure is your happiness, the strength of your relationships, your sense of purpose or whether you're genuinely enjoying life.

The future of healthcare will undoubtedly involve more technology, data and personalised insights. That's not something to fear. But perhaps the real challenge will be finding the balance between listening to the device on our wrist and listening to the person wearing it.

Because sometimes the most important health check is still the simplest one.

"How do I actually feel today?"

10/06/2026

... with a slightly irritating photographer 🤣

10/06/2026

The Front Desk Test

As a team, we've spent over 30 years working with dental and healthcare practices, and if there's one thing we've learned, it's this; patients often decide how they feel about your business before they ever meet the clinician.

The front desk is where first impressions are made. It's where nervous patients are welcomed, appointments are managed, concerns are heard, payments are handled, and busy days are kept moving in a smooth manner. Research consistently shows that customer experience is one of the biggest drivers of loyalty and retention, and in healthcare, that experience often starts with the front desk.

The challenge is that many practices still see this and administration roles as support positions rather than business-critical positions. Yet these team members are often managing dozens of patient interactions every day while juggling competing priorities, difficult conversations, schedule changes, and the emotional needs of patients who may be anxious, stressed, or unwell.

When a great front desk person leaves, the impact is immediate. Patient experience suffers, existing staff absorb additional workload and clinicians become distracted by operational issues. The culture of the practice shifts. Replacing them can take months, and rebuilding the trust and relationships they've developed with patients can take even longer.

If you want to improve patient retention, team culture, and the overall performance of your practice, start by looking at your front desk team. Are they properly supported? Are they being developed? Are they being recognised for the value they create every day? And most importantly, are they being paid in a way that reflects the importance of their role?

Great front desk people don't just answer phones. They’re the first impression, the problem solver, the organiser, the calm voice, the culture carrier, and often the reason a patient chooses to come back.

The smartest healthcare businesses know that investing in their front desk team isn't a cost, it's one of the best investments they'll ever make.

02/06/2026

Easy to use...

25/05/2026

Power outage in our building Monday morning. No problem.

Business and Breakfast at 18 Grams in Kogarah.

We always adapt, as clients need positions filled and candidates need jobs.

19/05/2026

Want to join our band?

19/05/2026

Is loneliness becoming one of Australia’s biggest public health challenges?

According to recent Australian research, almost 1 in 3 Australians report feeling lonely, while young Australians aged 15–24 are now among the loneliest demographics in the country. More than 2 in 5 young Australians say they feel lonely, and one in seven report persistent loneliness lasting more than two years.

In healthcare, we often focus on physical illness, staffing shortages, burnout and mental health support. But loneliness sits just underneath many of these challenges. It impacts anxiety, depression, workplace wellbeing, confidence, resilience and even physical health outcomes.

What concerns me most is that we’re becoming more digitally connected, yet many people feel less seen, less known and less supported than ever before.

Healthcare workers themselves are not immune. Shift work, stress, emotional fatigue and demanding workloads can often leave people feeling isolated, even when surrounded by others all day.

I believe workplaces, communities and leaders have an opportunity to think differently about connection. Not through forced “team building” exercises or corporate buzzwords, but through genuine human interaction.

Mentoring programs, shared meals, peer support, community initiatives and safe conversations. Its time to check in on people properly.

Sometimes the most important thing we can offer someone isn’t advice, it’s simply connection.

This is a healthcare conversation worth having.

12/05/2026

07/05/2026

28/04/2026

If you haven't already heard, award changes are happening right now.

From April 2026, Dental Assistants are being reclassified under a new structure within the Health Services Award, with pay increases of up to 9% now in play. This isn’t just a routine adjustment, it’s a meaningful change that impacts how you structure your team, your budgets, and ultimately, your compliance.

At AB Health Group, we’re already working with practices across the country to navigate what this means in real terms. Because it’s not just about knowing the change, it’s about understanding how it applies to your business. Getting classifications wrong, even unintentionally, can create risk. Getting it right builds trust with your team and strengthens your position as an employer of choice.

We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done, supporting you in every way we can. If you’d like a copy of the updated rates or want to talk through how this affects your practice, reach out to our team on 1300 658 915.