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Happy New Year from WA Primary Health Alliance. Welcome to the first edition of Aged Care Connect for 2024, keeping you up to date across our Aged Care Program initiatives that seek to build capacity in primary care and aged care services, leading to better health outcomes for older Australians as well as other aged care news across the sector.  

In this February update:

• Telehealth carts having positive impact in aged care homes across WA 

• Non-dispensing pharmacists in general practice 

• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive and RACH matching initiative  

• My Health Record in residential aged care - support is available 

• Upcoming sector events, training and resources 

• Government updates 

Telehealth carts having positive impact in aged care homes across WA 

We’re excited to announce that telehealth carts have now been assigned to 150 residential aged care homes (RACHs) across the state with 105 already set up and the rest in transit expected to reach RACHs within the next three months.  

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) commissioned telehealth technology provider Visionflex to deploy the telehealth carts. The carts will improve the quality and accessibility of primary care services for residents, reduce the need for travel and hospital visits, and allow for early detection and treatment of chronic conditions.  

Following the success of the rollout, additional funding is available for a limited time to offer the technology to RACHs who may have missed out. RACHs that have not received the equipment and are interested they should contact RACFTelehealthandAfterhours@wapha.org.au. 

Non-dispensing pharmacists in general practice 

WAPHA has engaged Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to provide non-dispensing pharmacists in general practices for older people. This initiative builds on WAPHA’s existing non-dispensing pharmacists in general practice services, which are available to eligible people across aged groups. The additional pharmacists will work collaboratively with GPs and practice staff to improve the management of medications for older people attending the practice.   

WAPHA has provided funding for 22 general practices to engage part-time pharmacists for up to 18 months in a non-dispensing role, with practices now up and running in Victoria Park, Belmont, Hillarys, Candlewood and Leschenault. 

Having pharmacists in general practice allows for a more coordinated and collaborative approach to care, which can lead to better access to integrated services for chronic conditions and improve health literacy around medications. 

General Practice in Aged Care Incentive and RACH matching initiative 

As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the Australian Government is investing in a new General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI). GPACI will replace the Aged Care Access Initiative (ACAI) from 1 August 2024. Access to the incentive will only be available through MyMedicare registration.   

GPs and practices registered in MyMedicare will receive incentives for providing their registered patients who permanently live in a RACH with regular visits and better care planning, improving continuity of care and reducing avoidable hospitalisations. Further details on the GPACI incentive will be available in the coming months.  

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) will also be funded to work with RACHs to match residents with a regular primary care provider in MyMedicare if they do not have one. WAPHA and the PHN Cooperative are working with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to gain more information about the RACH matching initiative and to better understand the implementation requirements. As more information becomes available, we will keep you informed. 

My Health Record in residential aged care - support is available 

WAPHA and the Australian Digital Health Agency have partnered to assist RACHs to use My Health Record to enhance continuity of care for residents. 

The My Health Record December 2023 report identified more than 23 million records existed with over 1 billion documents containing clinical and medicine information. Over 95% of pharmacies, GPs and public hospitals are contributing patient data to patients' health records. However, less than 35% of RACHs have registered and under 6% of those have used My Health Record. 

The Australian Digital Health Agency’s registration support team can assist RACHs in registering for the My Health Record system to ensure access to health information to support the care of clients and residents. We encourage RACHs to take advantage of the Agency’s tailored one-on-one support available until mid-2024. RACHs can access the registration support checklist here.

Upcoming sector events, training and resources

Australian Government updates

Consultation Open: Have your say on the new Aged Care Act | Find out more

Australia’s aged care laws are changing to put the rights and needs of older people first. 

The Australian Government is introducing a new Aged Care Act that will change the way services are delivered to older people in their homes, in community settings and in residential care homes. The new Act aims to ensure older people accessing aged care are treated with respect and get the quality of life they deserve.  

A consultation paper is now available to all Australians who want to contribute, including older people, their families and carers, aged care providers and workers, researchers and sector experts. Have your say and register for a workshop or access the online survey here by 16 February 2024. 

You are receiving this email as an interested party for activities related to the Primary Health Network Aged Care Program or have signed up through our website. All enquiries related to the Aged Care Program should be attention to healthpolicy@wapha.org.au

Our mailing address is:

WA Primary Health Alliance Level 2, 1 Hood Street Subiaco, WA 6008 Australia

Disclaimer

WA Primary Health Alliance’s publications and the material within them are intended for use by health professionals for general information purposes and do not replace clinical decision making. Please read our full disclaimer.

While the Australian Government contributed funding for this material, it has not reviewed the content and is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided herein.