Objective: Central and Eastern Sydney PHN works to improve access to high quality primary healthcare for older people, including residents of residential aged care facilities and older people living in the community.
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Close this windowObjective: Central and Eastern Sydney PHN works to improve access to high quality primary healthcare for older people, including residents of residential aged care facilities and older people living in the community.
Approximately 224,000 people, or 14 per cent of people in our region are aged 65 years and over. This number is predicted to increase a further 43% to 320,000 by 2031. To support the health needs of our older people, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN are providing a number of programs and initiatives focused on improving access to high quality primary healthcare.
For aged care clinical and referral pathways and resources, please view Sydney Healthpathways and South East Sydney Healthpathways
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Read about the latest advice for all aged care providers in flood and weather emergencies here.
Concurrent with the 2021-2022 Federal budget, the Federal government outlined its response to the final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The response is packaged into ‘five response pillars’ aimed at guiding reform and delivering a new aged care system that rebuilds trust, provides dignity and respect, and is supported by continued investment.
CESPHN provided two submissions to the Aged Care Royal Commisison:
The abuse of older people is a globally recognised issue that is increasingly becoming more prevalent. Research suggests that as many as 50,000 older people in NSW may have experienced some form of abuse and only one in five cases is reported. In the majority of cases the alledged abusers of older people turn out to be trusted family members, neighbours and paid carers. A range of tools exist to help better understand how to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation.
CESPHN provided two submissions to the Aged Care Royal Commisison:
The abuse of older people is a globally recognised issue that is increasingly becoming more prevalent. Research suggests that as many as 50,000 older people in NSW may have experienced some form of abuse and only one in five cases is reported. In the majority of cases the alledged abusers of older people turn out to be trusted family members, neighbours and paid carers. A range of tools exist to help better understand how to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is working with GPs, nurses, practice managers and RACFs to embed Advance care planning in General practice. Starting discussions early when patients are still relatively well, avoids people missing out on the opportunity to plan for their future care.
The Advance Project is a free evidence-based toolkit and training package funded by the Australian Governement Department of Health, designed to support GPs, nurses, and practice managers to initiate advance care planning conversations. Training consists of three different online training activities. All resources can be found at:
NSW Ambulance authorised care plans allow GPs and Specialist service providers to provide authorisation and direction to patient treatment that can be delivered by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The following services are available through the Australian Governments My Aged Care website.
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN provides funding and support to various Geriatric Flying Squads and Outreach Services operated by partner Local Health Districts and Hospital Networks. These services are intended to reduce the need for transfer to hospital by managing residents at their facility.
Geriatric Flying Squads (GFS) and RACF Outreach service contact details
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN has developed a Clinical handover tool (Yellow envelope) in collaboration with Local Health Districts partners and in consultation with RACF managers, for utilisation in transfer of residents from RACFs and hospitals. The purpose of the envelope is to improve the quality of clinical handover by ensuring critical resident information is communicated in writing during resident transfers.
CESPHN provides these envelopes to RACFs at no cost. If you require more envelopes, please contact the Jason Phillips at j.phillips@cesphn.com.au
CESPHN is working with public and private providers including GPs and RACFs to improve access to safe quality palliative care. Program activities include supporting patient preferences for end of life care in their preferred location, integrating care between different existing services and service providers and enhancing confidence of GPs and RACFs staff to support patients with their palliative end of life care needs in their preferred location.
An estimated 460,000 Australians living with Dementia, a number that is expected to increase to 590,000 by 2028, with costs expected to exceed 18.7 billion dollares per annum. With an estimated 1.6 million people in Australia helping care for someone with dementia, and more than half of all residents living in RACFs having a diagnosis of dementia, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN are working with local RACFs and family and carers of people with dementia to improve the knoweledge and skills needed and provide high quality care.
My Aged Care is the national entry point of access for aged care services and information. It consists of the My Aged Care website and contact centre (1800 200 422). Both provide information and referrals for clients and their carers to be assessed for Aged care services including residential and respite care.
Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is working with providers to ensure consumers are viewed as active partners throughout their care journey. This includes being provided the right information and resources to be part of decision making processes.
The 75+ Health Assessment provides an opportunity to improve the health of your older patients while also generating extra income for your practice. Conducting the 75+ Health Assessments is a great way to engage with your older practice population. It provides a structured way of identifying health issues and conditions that are potentially preventable or amenable to intervention.
Completing 75+ Health Assessments helps to
Consider developing a practice policy and streamlining systems and processes within your practice.
Helpful tips
Health assessments work best if done in a planned way.
Helpful tips
Medicare health assessment items
The below Medicare health assessment items can be claimed annually and include GP and Practice nurse time.
| 701 | assessment lasting 30 minutes | $59.35 |
| 703 | assessment lasting 30-45 minutes | $137.90 |
| 705 | assessment lasting 45-60 minutes | $190.30 |
| 707 | assessment lasting 60 minutes | $268.80 |
.For further information on 75+ Health assessments visit the Australian Government Department of Health 75+ Health Assessment webpage
The Impressions of the Mental Health System Survey is now live.
The survey is designed to gather information from people working in the mental health system and will be used by the group in its advocacy for major investment in mental health services in NSW.
The survey is open until 20 January 2023.
