Residential Aged Care Homes
Programs in Residential Aged Care Homes
Telehealth Equipment and Afterhours Care
Following recommendations from the Royal Commission, we have supported Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) in procuring appropriate telehealth technology. This has assisted in supporting residents access virtual consultations with their primary care provider. This included a project introducing virtual reality consultations to some RACHs in the region.
We also supported the development of after-hours arrangements and action plans, in conjunction with general practitioners, to improve clinical support accessibility to prevent avoidable hospitalisations. RACHs can contact the Healthy Ageing and Palliative Care Team for assistance with developing or reviewing an after-hours plan,
Resources for continual improvement activities for telehealth in RACHs:
Secure Messaging
Secure Messaging is an information-sharing platform that enables healthcare providers, including RACHs, to send and receive sensitive and confidential clinical information in a secure and encrypted environment. This may include referrals, reports, pathology and radiology requests, results and discharge summaries. We also work with GPs interested in receiving secure messaging from RACHs. If you are interested in accessing secure messaging, email the Healthy Ageing Team.
My Health Record
My Health Record provides RACHs with an online summary of a resident’s health conditions, as well as immunisation history, medications and reports such as pathology results. We can support RACHs with the implementation of My Health Record including through provision of training on My Health Record and assistance in registering to access it. Residents are able to opt out of having a My Health Record or can nominate an authorised representative to manage their My Health Record.
WiseMind
The WiseMind program provides psychological therapy services for people with mental illness or who may be at risk of developing mental illness living in RACHs across our region. WiseMind is designed for residents in a RACH experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, that significantly interfere with their cognitive, emotional or social abilities. Referrals are made to WiseMind by either the resident’s usual GP or registered nurse.
General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) supports older people to receive high quality, consistent care from their General Practitioner. We support RACHs to liaise with their GPs and to complete the necessary paperwork for residents receiving care under GPACI.
Aged Care On-site Pharmacist
The Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Program (ACOP) aims to embed community pharmacists directly within RACHs, supporting the provision of safe and person-centred medication management for residents.
Aged Care Support
Virtual Aged Care Service
To reduce risk of exposure and hospital presentations, the Virtual Aged Care Service (VACS) team has increased its workforce to provide additional assistance to RACHs with nurse practitioner and geriatrician support. This outreach service operates from Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm. Referrals can be made through a GP or from RACH staff. For more information about the Nepean Hospital Virtual Aged Care Service (VACS) registered nurses can access HealthPathways or contact VACS on 4734 1492 or 4734 1795.
Health Direct GP Support
The Health Direct GP Support 24/7 service can be contacted on 1800 022 222. RACHs are able to access this service at any time, including after hours, nights, weekends and public holidays. Using ISBAR handover:
- Identify yourself to the triage nurse that you are calling from a residential aged care facility.
- describe the Situation and the clinical Background.
- the triage nurse will provide their Recommendation on when the GP will contact you back or whether to transfer the call to 000 operators.
| Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
| GP will contact you within 15 minutes |
GP will contact you within 60 minutes |
- You will be sent a link for Health Direct video call instructions.
- You do not need any software to download.
- You do not need any Medicare details.
HealthPathways
HealthPathways is a free online health information portal for healthcare professionals in our region, intended to be used during patient consultations. It provides information on how to assess and manage medical conditions (such as Dementia, COPD and falls) as well as how to request timely input from specialist services. Health Pathways can be utilised by RACH nursing staff to help support care planning. Local health professionals can submit a login request form on our website to access HealthPathways.
The Australian Digital Health Agency also has an Online Learning Portal with training resources that have been developed for health care providers and RACH staff. If you require further support with My Health Record access, please contact the Healthy Ageing and Palliative Care Team.
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More Information
For more information about these initiatives, please email our Healthy Ageing and Palliative Care Team or call 4708 8100.
