The important role GPs play in uplifting telehealth in aged care

The important role GPs play in uplifting telehealth in aged care

17 April, 2023

In response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Primary Health Networks (PHNs) across Australia have received funding from the Commonwealth government, to support and increase the use of telehealth in RACFs. The aim of increasing telehealth is to ensure residents have improved access to primary care, at all hours of the day. After consultation with EMPHN RACFs, their GPs and Residential Aged Care stakeholders, we have developed a Telehealth Grants process for RACFs to access fit for purpose Telehealth upgrades for your facility. Telehealth Grants are now available for RACFs in the EMPHN region.

General Practice doctors are an integral part of high-quality care and wellbeing for residents in residential aged care. To enable varying modes of engagement with aged care facilities, and best utilising a GP’s tight schedule, ensuring efficient access to technology that is accessible and interoperable is key.

We ask GPs in the EMPHN region to assist us in advocating for upgraded telehealth in the facilities you work in and encourage you to work with facility managers to apply for telehealth upgrades that will compliment your work in aged care.

We invite GPs and their RACFs to attend an information session on 28 April or 1 May 2023.

For more information, please visit the EMPHN website.