OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CREATES PROFOUND IMPACTS ON CLIENT AND PATIENT LIVES
Margeaux Bartholomew-Carle
Occupational Therapist &
Chief Executive Officer, Ardant
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE
Filmed in Adelaide, South Australia | December 2024
In Australia, access to allied health services such as occupational therapy is increasingly challenging. Barriers like long wait times affect over 600,000 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and 1.5 million aged care participants. With both cohorts expected to grow exponentially in coming years, the pressure on an already stretched system is set to increase.
Australian Health Journal met with one Occupational Therapist who encourages those entering the profession to embrace continuous learning and seek mentorship to maximise their impact on clients’ lives. Through her company she has a nation-wide mission to transform client access to allied health services like occupational therapy using artificial intelligence (AI).
Margeaux Bartholomew-Carle is an Adelaide based registered Occupational Therapist and the Founder and CEO of Ardant.
Throughout her career, Margeaux has worked in various settings, including aged care, disability, assistive technology, prescription, and mental health. This diverse experience has deepened her understanding of the different needs among client groups.
A significant turning point came when she worked as a solo practitioner and realised that the heavy administrative burden often kept her from important family moments, especially while her father was in the hospital with advanced prostate cancer. This experience motivated her to establish Ardant, focused on enabling OTs to prioritise client care over administrative tasks.
Under her leadership, Ardant has created an all-in-one online practice management platform designed to reduce administrative burdens for independent occupational therapists across Australia, ultimately enhancing access to OT services and improving client outcomes.
Margeaux believes that the role of occupational therapists is gaining recognition, particularly with the introduction of the NDIS, but acknowledges there are persistent misconceptions about the profession. To raise awareness, she advocates for targeted campaigns to educate GPs, health professionals, and the public about the value of OT in primary healthcare.
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Genhealth Hamilton was established in 2015 in regional and rural Victoria. The practice offers a range of services including physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, exercise science, and group classes such as clinical reformer therapy and clinical Pilates in Hamilton, which has a population of around 10,000. The clinic also serves a wider community within 100 kilometre, reaching rural residents and local industries.
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Dr. Robbie King is a Senior Advanced Care Paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service and a community paramedic. He is also a lecturer at the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane. After studying paramedicine and working as a student paramedic since 2009, he recognised that most patients attended by ambulance services did not require emergency interventions.
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From paediatric nursing to leadership & private hospital general management
With over 20 years of experience in the Australian and international healthcare sectors, Georgia Banks is a dedicated and results-driven health professional with a proven track record in clinical, financial, human resources, and strategic management. Passionate about delivering high-quality patient care, Georgia possesses an authentic leadership style that fosters engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Currently serving as General Manager at Hobart Private Hospital within Healthscope, Georgia has been instrumental in driving operational excellence, enhancing patient experience, and supporting staff development. Her leadership has played a key role in aligning hospital services with strategic priorities while fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.
