Three major faith-based care providers announce merger
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Three of Australia’s leading faith-based care providers—Baptcare, Baptist Care SA, and BaptistCare—announced today they will unite to become one of Australia’s largest integrated care and service providers.
The Boards and executives of all three organisations have announced the decision to merge, subject to approvals.
Combined, the organisations will have over 12,000 staff and offer retirement living and aged care, community housing and family and community services to over 38,000 customers across New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.
The merger is expected to complete in March 2025, followed by a period of integration.
The new organisation’s Board will be led by Tim Farren (currently Chair of the Baptcare Board) as Chair, and Robert Dunn (currently Chair of the BaptistCare Board) as the Vice Chair.
Farren said the decision to unite represents an opportunity to enhance services to customers as well as provide greater choice, flexibility and diversity of services, and increase advocacy for vulnerable people and communities.
“As Baptist faith-based organisations, we have a shared mission to strengthen communities by valuing people and supporting them to have hope, dignity and a fullness of life. Coming together will help us to continue to deliver that mission, while staying true to our legacy.
“We know that the sectors we operate in are under increasing pressure with greater demand for care and services and often fewer resources. In coming together, we can unlock operational efficiencies, synergies and innovations that will help to navigate these challenges and deliver real value and benefits to our workforce and our customers.”
Charles Moore (currently the CEO of BaptistCare) has been announced as CEO-elect of the merged organisation.
Moore said he is excited about the prospect of bringing the organisation together.
“Strategically, this merger will create a stronger organisation by combining our resources, expertise, and market reach. This will further enhance our services to our customers, drive innovation, amplify our mission and provide a greater breadth of career opportunities for our workforce.
“I’ll be working with our teams to integrate the best aspects of each organisation – respecting each other’s strengths, skills, cultures, communities and contributions.”
Sue Raw, CEO at Baptist Care SA will remain in her role leading South Australia and guiding its transition into the new organisation over the coming months. Further details about Sue’s next role will be shared in due course. Geraldine Lannon, CEO at Baptcare will take some well-deserved annual leave through to March before she leaves Baptcare. During this time Leanne Beveridge will be Acting CEO at Baptcare.
The new organisation, which will be named following a consultation process, will continue to provide the broad range of services that current customers value and depend on, including family and community services, retirement living, residential aged care, home care, community and affordable housing, disability support, foster care, chaplaincy and spiritual care, and mental health services.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
