Aged Care Program

AIMS

Sutherland Division of General Practice is working in partnerships with GPs, residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and Southcare to collaborative on mutual issues of concern. The aims of the program are:

• Improving access to appropriate medical care for RACF residents
• Increasing participation of GPs in aged care initiatives that focus on improving quality of care
• Divisions, GPs and RACFs working collaboratively to address aged care issues

The program is guided by an Aged Care Steering Committee comprising of panel GPs, RACF representatives, Hospital Aged Care Southcare representative and Division representatives.

STRATEGIES 2007 PORTFOLIO AREAS

In 2007 portfolio areas of the Aged Care Program are:

1. Education and Training

• Primary Care in RACFs (Bedside Tutorials)
• GPs as Educators in RACFs – 9 sessions scheduled for 2007 at various RACFs
• Southcare Update for GPs

2. Regional Medication Advisory Committee (RMAC)

• The RMAC is open to all GPs, RACFs and Pharmacists providing services to RACFs.
• The role of the RMAC is to facilitate inter-professional collaboration in the development, promotion, monitoring and evaluation of regional activities and policies that promote quality use of medicines, to ensure positive health outcomes for older people living in RACFs.
• Meetings held quarterly (January, April, July & October) at Pacific Heights Nursing Home.
• For more information contact the Division on 9525 4011 or Lorraine Knight, RMAC Secretary on 9522 8581.

3. Information Technology /Information Management

• IT in RACFs remains a challenging area. The Division we will continue to explore opportunities to support GPs working in RACFs.
• Conduct a survey of GPs that visit RACFs with Medical Director to identify usage, barriers to uptake and opportunities to better manage RACF electronic patient records. Based on results provide training for GPs in the upload/download and import/export functions.
• Division will continue liaison with Health Communication Network regarding aged care issues.

4. Enhanced Primary Care in RACFs

• Provision of information and tools to support collaborative implementation of EPC in RACFs
• Practice visits available to assist GPs and RACFs.

RESOURCES

The resource centre provides aged care information on the current education opportunities available for GPs and RACFs, MBS items for RACF patients, enhanced primary care, medication management, transfer of medical care, hospital interface, Southcare directory and referral forms, Sutherland Shire Seniors Services Directory, advance care planning, dementia, palliative care, falls, clinical guidelines/best practice sites, office of the public guardian and surviving the maze (information for carers). To access the resource go to the Resource Centre.

For additional information about the Aged Care Program please contact our Program Officer at the Division.