Aged care is an focus for our work in the region, one of six key priorities for Primary Health Networks across Australia. Western NSW PHN has recently launched a Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facilities Program to improve access to health services for older people living in Broken Hill and Dubbo.

On this page you will find information regarding:

Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facilities
ISBAR Training
Aged Care Resources for Health Professionals 

Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facilities 

For an overview of the services we fund for chronic disease, after hours and other services, please download the Summary of Commissioned Services.

The Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facilities Program (TRAC) is operational in Broken Hill, Blayney, Canowindra, Dubbo, Mudgee, Parkes, Peak Hill and Wentworth to improve access for Residents in aged care facilities to health professionals through Healthdirect Video Call secure video consultations purpose-built for Australian Healthcare Services delivery.

The Program improves access to health services both during and after clinic hours, depending on availability via video link using Healthdirect’s video call platform. Services that can be accessed include GPs, allied health professionals and specialists. It also strengthens care coordination initiatives to enhance multidisciplinary care and improves in-reach support available to residents.

The program is funded by Rural Doctors Network and the Western NSW Primary Health Network.

In Broken Hill the TRAC Program operates in three Southern Cross Care (Broken Hill) facilities; St Anne’s Nursing Home, Harold Williams Home and Aruma Lodge, linking with GPs from NachiappansGP Super Clinic and the RFDS SE.

In Blayney the program is available at Lee Hostel, linking with the Millthorpe Medical Practice.

In Canowindra the program is available at Moyne RACF, linking with Dr Nicholas O'Ryan.

In Dubbo the program is available at two Catholic Health Care Facilities, St Mary’s Villa and Holy Spirit Aged Care, as well as RFBI Dubbo, Orana Gardens, Bracken House, Kintyre Lodge, Opal Dubbo, and RSL Lifecare-Bill Newton VC Gardens, linking with GPs from Dubbo Family DoctorsDubbo Medical and Allied Health Group, DubboCare Family Practice, Macquarie Valley Family Practice and Gumtree Medical Practice.

In Mudgee the program is available at Pioneer House, Kanandah Hostel and Opal Mudgee, linking with the South Mudgee Surgery.

In Parkes the program is available through the Baptist Care-Niola Centre and Southern Cross Care Parkes, linking with Ochre Medical Centre.

In Peak Hill the program is available through Frazer Court Hostel, linking with the Peak Hill Medical Centre.

In Wentworth the program is available at Murray House Aged Care and supported by GPs from LIME Medical and Merbein Family Medical Practice.

Benefits of Telehealth in Aged Care Facilities

Appointments via a video link are particularly useful for residents in aged care facilities who have trouble getting out and about. They provide access to a GP when it might not otherwise be possible, for instance on a day that the GP isn’t scheduled to visit and a resident becomes unwell. Other benefits include:

  • Reduced waiting times.
  • Less distress for Residents.
  • Reduced need for transport and hospital transfers.
  • Easier for family and carers.
  • Increased and easy access to health professionals 

ISBAR Training 

Effective clinical handover of Residents in Aged Care Facilities 

Research shows that using a standardised format assists the transfer of information for residents in Aged Care Facilities and improves patient outcomes. ISBAR (Introduction – Situation - Background – Assessment - Recommendation) organises a conversation into the essential elements for transferring information from one source to another.

Western NSW PHN is providing ISBAR training to the 74 residential aged care facilities and Multipurpose Facilities across the region, covering 3098 aged care beds.

The Program launched on 5 February 2018 in Residential Aged Care Facilities and Multi-Purpose Services in the Far West and Western Local Health Districts. Altura Learning is being used to deliver and manage the online ISBAR training module. The courses align to the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency’s Standards and Outcomes.

For more information please download the RACF ISBAR Framework Document.

Aged Care Resources for Health Professionals 

The Aged Care resources contained in the below drop-down menu are available to assist health professionals with accessing services, current evidence-based information or best practice guidelines to support patients in Aged Care.

Email & Specialist Advice Services

Aged Care 

My Aged Care - Information for Service Providers to navigate and improve access to information 

Far West Local Health District – Supportive and Specialist Aged Care Service

Western NSW Local Health District - Supportive and Specialist Aged Care Service

Specialist  Community  Aged Care Team

Contact No.

Specialist  Community  Aged Care Team

Contact No.

Supportive and Specialist Aged Care Service

Broken Hill Health Service

Far West Local Health District

176 Thomas Street, Broken Hill New South Wales 2880

(08) 80801656

Western NSW Aged Care Service

2 Morrissey Way

PO Box 103

Parkes NSW 2870

(02) 6861 2555

Aged Care Consultation Liaison Service

Aged Care Consultation Liaison Service

Aged Care Consultation Service

Broken Hill Health Service

Far West Local Health District

176 Thomas Street, Broken Hill New South Wales 2880

(08) 80801656

Western NSW Aged Care Service

2 Morrissey Way

PO Box 103

Parkes NSW 2870

(02) 6861 2555

Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF)

Dubbo Residential Aged Care Facilities Folder 

This Aged Care Folder is a clinical support tool for Residential Aged Care Facilities and General Practices located in Dubbo.

Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facilities Program 

The Telehealth in Residential Aged Care Facilities Program (TRAC) 

operates in Broken Hill, Dubbo and Wentworth to improve access for Residents in aged care facilities to health professionals through video consultations. Services that can be accessed include GPs, Allied health professionals and Specialists through the following organisations:

Referrals

Referrals can be made to My Aged Care via the following methods: 

Via Phone - Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Contact centre staff are available from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays, local time Australia wide. The patient does not have to be present for a phone referral, however you will need your patient’s consent before you provide information on their behalf. You can also promote the number to your patient or family member and encourage them to call. 

Online - Use the Make a Referral page on the My Aged Care website and enter details into the online form. You can add attachments to the information that you enter into the online form.

MAKE A REFERRAL 

Via Fax - Send a fax to the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 728 174. You can use the Make a Referral page from the My Aged Care website as a template.

More information for healthcare professionals on making referrals to My Aged care can be found on the My Aged Care Website. 

http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/

Allied Health 731 Form

Referral Form for Individual Allied Health Services under Medicare for patients with a chronic medical conditions and complex care needs.

Contact

Sonya Berryman

General Manager, Primary Healthcare & Integration
Phone: 1300 699 167
Email: sonya.berryman@wnswphn.org.au