11 October 2024

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After-hours support resources now available for aged care

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) is helping residential aged care homes (RACHs) with enhancing out-of-hours action planning.

A suite of resources has been developed to assist aged care homes in self-auditing and improving the quality and sustainability of after-hours care to their residents.

The development of the resources was made possible through valuable consultation with aged care workers who provided advice on the content and format. The resources are a collection of high-level documents designed to guide the user to bodies of knowledge. The inclusion of an audit tool helps facility managers identify areas that they might consider enhancing. These areas include escalation of care, available services, and digital capability.

“Issues are always worse at night and on the weekends when you have minimal staff and access to external supports are limited. These resources can support clinicians in aged care to make decisions, enhance access to services and reduce the need for unnecessary transfers to hospital” Dr Kristi Holloway, Executive Director Regional Leader at Hall & Prior

Health workers at RACHs can access the resources any time on our website 

Need for vaccination continues into aged care

People aged 65 years and older face higher risk of developing serious complications from vaccine-preventable illnesses compared to younger adults. Being vaccinated reduces the risk of becoming ill and potential hospitalisation. It is important for vaccinations to be kept up to date, and for aged care homes to assist residents to access vaccinations. 

WAPHA is hosting a two part webinar series on how RACHs can access their resident’s immunisation history and what vaccinations are recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations.

• Webinar One: Accessing the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and My Health Record (MHR) in aged care
  29 October, 2024 | 6-7pm | Register your attendance to receive an invitation
• Webinar Two: Immunisation in aged care and the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
  26 November, 2024 | 6-7pm | Register your attendance to receive an invitation

If you are unable to attend the webinars, we are also able to offer face-to-face education sessions with aged care staff to talk about what immunisations are important for people entering a residential aged care home. Please contact WAPHA’s COVID-19 and Immunisation Team via RACFvaccination@wapha.org.au to arrange a presentation.

Learn more and register for the webinars

Nursing agencies to further embed video telehealth in aged care

The telehealth initiative delivered by WAPHA’s digital health team has resulted in an increased number of RACHs with enhanced video-telehealth capability, helping improve continuity of care and after-hours support for residents.

Nursing agency staff now have an opportunity to reach out to the RACHs that they service to familiarise themselves with the new Visionflex telehealth technology.

Nursing agencies can contact their affiliated RACHs to arrange an orientation and briefing session. Doing so will ensure they are set up for accessing the system and are familiar with how to use the technology when the need arises and is deemed appropriate.

A list of RACHs that have acquired the video telehealth carts is available here 

An invaluable aid - clinicians express excitement for telehealth carts

In a recent interview, Dr Mark Victor from Albany Medical Centre declared the telehealth carts now located in 180 residential aged care homes across WA are an invaluable aid to clinicians.

Dr Victor was very impressed by the visual clarity of the telehealth cart’s patient facing and handheld examination cameras. The cameras, along with the digital monitoring accessories, enable comprehensive examinations where GPs can have increased confidence in clinical decision making during virtual care.

The telehealth carts are equipped with cutting edge technology that enable clinicians to interact with what they can see on screen during video calls.

Read more or please email practiceassist@wapha.org.au for more support with telehealth and virtual care.

Pilot operation by St John Ambulance can support after-hours escalations 

St John Ambulance WA has been running an extended care paramedic service in the Perth metro area. This pilot was launched earlier this year with a purpose to minimise patient transfers to hospital emergency departments. This service is a positive enabler of enhanced after-hours care.

The service manages low acuity callouts with a team of extended care paramedics who are equipped to assess and treat patients efficiently at site, whether it’s a short notice dispatch or a scheduled engagement. After initial assessment the extended care paramedics assist with arranging appropriate follow-up care. 

For more information about how the service can benefit your aged care home download the flyer or contact partners@stjohnwa.com.au

Grants announced for dementia respite support programs 

The Australian Government Department 

of Health and Aged care is increasing support for people with dementia and their carers through dementia-specific respite services.

Eight new grants have been awarded to providers to expand services in the ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.

These grants will deliver innovative models of respite care and planning, opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to attend respite together and peer support and education for carers.

See the full list of providers and their services. 

Accessing the Australian Immunisation Register and My Health Record in aged care

This webinar will cover how to access and use PRODA, HPOS and AIR, how to locate an immunisation statement on AIR, My Health Record and its uses in an aged care setting as well as increase knowledge about the importance of vaccination.

Register 

LGBTI and Dementia - Understanding and Responding to Changes in Behaviour

Join this informative webinar series. Designed for providers in the aged care sector, these webinars will give practical tools and information to better support LGBTI people with Dementia. 

Register for webinar 1 | Register for webinar 2

Immunisation in aged care and the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive

This webinar will look at why we need to continue with vaccinations as we age, what vaccinations are currently recommended and issues around consent. We will also give an overview of the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive.

Register

Introduction to General Practice in Aged Care Incentive 

This webinar recording introduces the new General Practice in Aged Care Incentive, helping residential aged care providers and workers, and aged care residents, their families and carers to understand the services and benefits of the incentive.

Watch on demand

General Practice in Aged Care Overview 

This webinar recording provides an overview of the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive and how GPs can make the most of the new incentive. The discussion touched upon the policy intent, key features to support rural and remote areas, accreditation and participation by sole providers. 

Watch on demand

Webpage: Dementia Community Services and Support Finder

A webpage designed to help assist with navigating national and local resources relating to dementia care. To help improve the visibility of support available we’re proud to be working with Linkwest to add localised community service information to this page. Find support in your area

Source: WA Primary Health Alliance

Toolkit: New online toolkit for GPs working in aged care

An online toolkit with practical information and resources on a range of clinical topics to improve the care of residents. The toolkit includes online modules, downloadable resources and links to tools, referral pathways and specialist services. 
Access the toolkit

Source: End-of-Life Care Program 

Resource: Community Palliative Care Resources Box

Packed with nationally consistent, practical and evidence-based resources to support the provision of quality end-of-life care for those choosing to be cared for at home. 

Access the resources

Source: caring@home  

Webpage: Residential Goals of Care information now available 

A new webpage is available for health professionals. The Residential Goals of Care is a clinician-led form completed as part of discussions between a resident and their health care team. Visit the page

Source: WA Department of Health

Acknowledgement 

WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community.