Aspen Medical is a privately owned Australian-based health service company with operations in Australia and internationally. The company headquarters are in Canberra with offices in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, and international offices in Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi and Port Moresby. In 2021, the company recorded a total turnover of A$854,352,788, with taxable income of A$249,616,774, and paid A$74,885,032 corporate tax. In 2018, Aspen Medical was recognized as the Australian Exporter of the Year, and in 2021 was inducted into the Australian Export Hall of Fame.
History
Aspen Medical was established in 2003 by Glenn Keys AO and Dr Andrew Walker. Its initial work involved reviewing the delivery of orthopedic services under the Blair Governments' National Health Service Reforms and reducing waiting lists for orthopedic, urological and cataract surgery in the UK and Northern Ireland. Subsequently, the firm medically supported the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to stabilize the Solomon Islands after its civil collapse, and assisted the Australian-led international Military Mission to East Timor, which included saving President Jose Ramos Horta’s life after an assassination attempt.
In 2005, the company was awarded a contract to provide health services to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel at Puckapunyal Military Area. This was followed by a similar contract at the ADF base at Albury Wodonga Military Area in 2007.
Aspen Medical has worked in remote areas in Australia through: developing the Western Australia Resources Aero Medical Evacuation for seven oil and gas companies working in the North West Shelf off WA; establishing the Remote Area Health Corps to provide Primary Health Care to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory in 2008; supporting an existing joint venture between CareFlight and Pel-Air to provide air ambulance services out of Darwin International Airport and, since 2011 administering the Australian Government's Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme (NAHRLS). This scheme provides short term locum staff to rural and remote locations in Australia to relieve permanent residential staff undertaking professional development or taking leave. In 2016, NAHRLS was amalgamated with the Rural Obstetric and Anaesthetic Locum Scheme (ROALS) and the Rural Locum Education Assistance Program (Rural LEAP) and was subsequently renamed the Rural Locum Assistance Program (Rural LAP). In 2022, the program was expanded by the Australian Government to provide support to eligible aged care services in rural and remote Australia.
Between 2012 and 2016, the firm provided sub-contracted medical services with approximately 1000 staff at over fifty Defence sites Australia-wide. At that time, it was the largest services tender for healthcare professionals conducted by the ADF Joint Health Command. The company was also delivering 'Care of Battle Casualty' first aid training to ADF personnel deploying to the Middle East.
In 2013, Aspen Medical employed more than 2000 staff and had a turnover of around $163,000,000 AUD.
Dr Andrew Walker exited the company in late 2019.
2004–17 Solomon Islands
In 2004, Aspen Medical was contracted to deliver healthcare services, including a hospital, to RAMSI personnel and Australian Government employees in Solomon Islands. The facility, situated at Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR) near Honiara, featured a 10-bed ward, pharmacy, dental and pathology services, environmental health, administration, and storage. Aspen Medical also conducted aero-medical evacuations and operated a mobile surgical unit with radiology, an operating room, and an intensive care/recovery unit.
2006–14 Timor-Leste
In 2006, Aspen Medical was contracted by PDL Toll, the prime contractor, to support the Australian Defence Force in Timor-Leste. Aspen Medical designed the healthcare facility and provided all staff. The company provided primary healthcare, radiology, pathology, dental, emergency care and surgery.
2014–15 West Africa Ebola Outbreak
Aspen Medical managed the Australian Government's response to the Ebola virus disease (EVD). This response involved commissioning and managing a 100-bed Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC), constructed by the UK Government in Sierra Leone. Aspen Medical managed the ETC from December 2014 to April 2015.
The Sierra Leone ETC admitted 216 patients. In addition to the Ebola survivors, the ETC contributed to the treatment of 120 survivors of serious conditions other than Ebola.