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This Division activity functions to support Rural Medical Practitioners to provide optimal care and contribute to the achievement of the best possible health outcomes for older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).
The rationale for this, is that older people living in RACFs should have access to quality medical care at the same standard that applies to the community generally, and that meets their specific medical needs. Nationally there has been a decline in GP attendances to residential care patients in the context of an ageing population, increased numbers of residential aged care beds and an increased proportion of residents classified as high care. Divisions are seen to have a key role in improving access to appropriate general practice services for older people living in RACFs.
Divisional goals in this area include:
- The Divisions utilising the funding under the Strengthening Medicare Aged Care GP Panels Initiative to develop processes and structures within Rural Medical Practice and the aged care sector, that lead to improved access for residents of RACFs.
- The Division to work in partnership with key aged and community care stakeholders to establish linkages, determine priority action and improve access to quality medical care.
- To develop appropriate and sustainable structural approaches to assist in the engagement of Rural Medical Practitioners in quality activities, including the integration of the RMP sector, aged care sector and allied health professionals with regard to service provision in RACFs.
Useful Website Links
Resource Kit to enable implementation of the APAC Guidelines for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities www.health.vic.gov.au/dpu/agedcare_seminar.htm
Resources
To Crush or Not To Crush
Administering Drugs via Feeding Tubes
Checklist for Aged Care Home Staff to use BEFORE contacting a GP
Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) - User Guide
Aged Care Budget 2007/08 detailed desciption
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