BUILDING BETTER AGED CARE
PHNs SET TO EXPAND THEIR ROLE IN SUPPORTING HEALTHY AGEING HOW PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORKS CAN WORK WITH THE AGED CARE SYSTEM
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onsumer choice is becoming more and more important to older Australians, with many now opting to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This change, together with our ageing population, means there is an increasing demand to provide care for people with complex social and health care needs. This has been highlighted through the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety report and recommendations— and it presents significant opportunities for Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to extend their role in relation to the health of older people. There are 31 PHNs across Australia that act as planners, commissioners and integrators for services in their region, responding to the identified needs of their specific region. As experts on the primary health needs of their region, PHNs drive reform, integration and equitable access across their regional health and social care systems. They are embedded within their local communities and pay particular attention to vulnerable populations who are most likely to miss out on opportunities to engage with health and aged care services. PHNs enact this work across five core roles: 1. system coordination and integration; 2. primary care system management; 3. regional planning and commissioning; 4. workforce training and development; and 5. health system reforms/transformations. These core roles have been outlined in detail in Supporting Healthy Ageing, the Role of PHNs—a White Paper recently developed by the PHN Cooperative. While all PHNs have demonstrated capability to respond to the health needs of older people through their core funding, some have also successfully sought additional funding opportunities.
Julie Morrow speaking at a healthy ageing event hosted by Brisbane North PHN. For example, Brisbane North PHN delivers an in-home Regional Assessment Service (RAS) to help people with diverse needs navigate the Australian aged care system and address the barriers they face in accessing services. Over 4,000 assessments are delivered each year through a consortium partnership who focus on increasing connections across the health and aged care sectors and offer specialist assessment services to culturally diverse and disadvantaged people. This approach is underpinned by client-centred decision making with a cultural shift to a wellness and reablement paradigm. The Royal Commission’s final report clearly articulates the need for reform to support older people to have the same rights to quality health care as other Australians. It also highlights gaps that occur when older people transition between multiple health and social care systems. These are intensified by individual circumstances such as where people live, their physical or mental health needs, financial capacity, culturally and linguistically diverse needs, and technology access and literacy. Continued on page 37
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