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Welcome to Aged Care Connect, 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 issue:

• Latest news
• Training and events
• Free resources
• Australian Government updates

Latest News

Compassionate and person-centred end-of-life support in residential aged care

Improving palliative care and end-of-life support for older Australians living in residential aged care homes (RACHs) is at the heart of a successful case coordinator pilot project, which has seen a significant uplift in honouring the preferences of residents.

In January 2023, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) began the pilot to employ four dedicated case coordinators across eight RACHs in WA. The pilot was established following a consultation forum in partnership with WA Department of Health where GPs identified the need for a dedicated role within RACHs for them to liaise with, co-ordinate case conferencing and engage in quality improvement initiatives.  Over the last twelve months the coordinators have not only improved the quality of end-of-life care for residents but also provided support for loved ones, staff, and the wider system of care. 

The project has had a significant impact in ensuring preferences and choice at end-of-life are being documented and understood. Since the pilot began, 97 per cent of residents were able to have their preferred place of death recorded, and 95.7 per cent had their preferences met.  

EOI: GP Special Interest Panel – Care of Older People

Following review of the PHN Aged Care Program stakeholder engagement activities and anticipated further priorities, WAPHA is re-establishing a GP Special Interest Panel – Care of Older People. The Panel will include a diverse group of GPs from across WA who can provide guidance and advice to inform the design and delivery of upcoming PHN Aged Care Program activities, led by WAPHA. 

In May, we will be calling for expressions of interest from GPs across WA who are passionate about aged care, have current experience and specialised knowledge of generalist palliative and end-of-life care, as well as expertise providing care to older people from our priority groups; and are available for ad-hoc consultations and engagement as required. To find out more and express your interest, please complete the form by COB Wednesday 19 June 2024.

Telehealth and My Health Record: enablers of connected care in the Great Southern

WAPHA’s digital health team are continuing to work closely with regional stakeholders and recently travelled to the Great Southern to support the setup and use of telehealth and My Health Record. With new telehealth carts now available at 150 RACHs across WA, the visit helped to further expand awareness and value of the technology to local general practices in collaboration with our Great Southern team members Lesley Pearson, Regional Integration Manager and Jo Crooks, Practice Quality Improvement Coach. 

Hands on face-to-face support was provided to aged care homes who were learning about their new telehealth equipment. This included support in the use of clinical telehealth devices that could communicate live patient readings to a GP during a telehealth consult. Participating clinicians highlighted the potential use of the telehealth equipment to support the review of RACH residents and improve access to primary care. 

COVID-19 vaccination in residential aged care

WAPHA on behalf of the Department of Health and Aged Care is engaging with RACHs regarding COVID-19 booster vaccinations. 
 
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated their COVID-19 booster vaccination advice and recommendations for 2024. The Department is seeking required information on the number of residents that are due for COVID-19 vaccinations, the plans surrounding COVID-19 vaccination clinics and who will be administering the vaccines from RACHs via Primary Health Networks. 
  
WAPHA’s COVID-19 vaccination team can assist with sourcing vaccination providers and providing information and feedback to the Department. We also have a new and exciting funding model to assist vaccination providers that will be released in coming weeks.  
 
The Department has developed an Aged Care Consent FAQ to support older people and their families to have informed conversations about COVID-19 vaccination. If your facility has any upcoming clinics for influenza immunisation, please also consider co-administration with a COVID-19 vaccination.  For assistance, please email racfvaccination@wapha.org.au.

Have a say: Infection prevention and control guide

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care wants to hear from you about the draft Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guide. The guide is intended to support aged care organisations to meet the IPC-related actions of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and to minimise the risk of infection for older people and the workforce.

Complete the online survey by 15 May 2024. 

Training and events

Free resources

Australian Government updates

Submissions open for review of My Aged Care

The Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care has commenced a review of My Aged Care as the entry point for people to access Australian Government-funded aged care services. 

The Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care is currently conducting a review investigating whether an older person can successfully get in the front door of the aged care system. The aim of this review is to assess whether My Aged Care enables older Australians to start the assessment process required to enter the aged care system in a timely manner.

For information on the review and how to make a submission, visit the Inspector-General of Aged Care’s website. Public submissions are open until 14 June 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.