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 we provide an overview of two new residential aged care related initiatives being implemented by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC), the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive, and the aged care on-site pharmacists measure. We also provide some information about our role and how we can help to improve COVID-19 vaccination in residential aged care homes (RACHs) along with an update on some of the other aged care activities we are leading. 

We are also very pleased to announce our recent partnership with the Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) as an associate partner. ACCPA is the national organisation representing high-quality and comprehensive aged care service providers.  

Our partnership with ACCPA will allow WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) to contribute to the betterment of aged and community care services. Together, we’ll be working towards enhancing the overall wellbeing of our ageing population.

Latest News

New General Practice in Aged Care Incentive 

On Monday 1 July 2024, the new General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GP ACI) commenced, providing incentive payments to general practices and GPs for delivering regular visits and care planning to older people living in residential aged care.  

Eligible practices that meet the definition of a general practice can now register for the incentive and link their residential aged care patients to the incentive. Frequently Asked Questions are available for residential aged care providers, residents and carers and GPs and practices.

Note, DHAC is planning a webinar about the GP ACI to be held on 6 August 2024 for RACH staff and residents and their families. More information will follow as it is available.

Other useful links and information: 

• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive

• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive - Health professionals

• General Practice in Aged Care Incentive program guidelines   

A timeline is available outlining key dates for GPs and practices to be aware of in the transition from the Practice Incentives Program GP Aged Care Access Incentive to the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive. 

New aged care on-site pharmacists measure

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified medication management and safety in RACHs as an essential area for improvement. In response DHAC is implementing the aged care on-site pharmacist measure.

Commencing on 1 July 2024, funding is available for community pharmacies and aged care providers to employ on-site pharmacists in RACHs. 

Aged care on-site pharmacists will regularly review medications to reduce medication related harm and optimise the use of medicines. 

They will also work with RACH staff to improve health outcomes for residents and build confidence with families and carers. Participation is voluntary. 

More information about the measure is available on the DHAC and Pharmacy Programs Administrator websites.

RACH COVID-19 vaccination - we can assist

We know the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases with age and regular vaccination is the best protection from severe illness, hospitalisation, or death from COVID-19, particularly those aged 65 years and over. 

Residential aged care providers play an important role in ensuring vaccines are available to residents. WAPHA is supporting RACHs to arrange COVID-19 vaccinations with local GPs and pharmacists. 

Telehealth Carts: Improving access to care for older Australians

WAPHA has reached a pivotal milestone in our mission to improve access to care for older Australians, successfully rolling out 180 telehealth carts to RACHs across the state.

The carts are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that allows for fast and efficient liaison with GPs and other clinicians, improving access to care for residents and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.

“I am amazed as to how much the telehealth cart can do – from auscultation of someone’s lungs to real time video of lesions so you can see things from a few angles. It makes me feel more confident when making judgement calls for patients who might be starting to deteriorate but I cannot get to them that day. I can already think of a few patients that I could have used it for in the past where I wasn’t super sure about a patient’s actual condition. It is highly likely that it might help me sleep better at night knowing the patient will be ok by staying at the RACF. At present, the only other alternative is to send a patient to hospital if the nursing staff are worried and I cannot evaluate the patient to a standard I am happy with, which isn’t ideal.”  

- Dr Anastasia Isakova, Sage Medical Consulting FRACGP, MBBS  

Afterhours guidance for residential aged care

An initiative by WAPHA is set to provide support and guidance to RACHs in enhancing and implementing their out-of-hours action plans. The resources, developed in consultation with residential aged care representatives, will assist RACHs in self-auditing and improving the quality and sustainability of after-hours care to their residents. Initially the resources will be tested in several participating RACHs across WA’s metropolitan and country regions.   
 
This activity and the work that will follow aligns with the anticipated launch of the new Aged Care Safety and Quality Standards next year (currently in draft), alongside the new Aged Care Act. The new version of the standards will include actions for RACHs to address after-hours care. The support resources aim to assist RACHs in providing high-quality after-hours care that supports RACHs to meet safety and quality standards.  

RACHs can access information about the draft standards and Age Care Act on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website. For information about the resources please reach out to RACFtelehealthandafterhours@wapha.org.au.

Free resources