Improving GP access for aged care residents

Many residents in our region struggle to access regular, high-quality care from a local GP. With only around half of our general practices providing residential support, this means pressure on aged care and hospital teams to care for residents in a way ideally addressed through GP-led care. Not to mention the risk to residents’ health…

The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) has been introduced to boost residents’ access to GPs. Healthy North Coast has been working to help practices understand how it works, to connect with homes across the region and to continue in aged care.

• Responded to 60 urgent requests for support to access a GP or where continued care was at risk, safeguarding care for 2,693 residents
• 21 GP shortage cases resolved, directly assisting 208 residents to secure a GP
• 39 general practices supported – ensuring 1,536 residents maintained ongoing care
• Reduced the number of cases where a lack of admitting GP created a delay in discharge for patients seeking residential aged care

This means one third of residents in our region were supported to receive primary care!

Healthy North Coast will continue supporting GPs and practices to access and utilise the GPACI initiative, while working closely with RACHs to strengthen relationships and remove barriers as they arise.

This success highlights the power of collaboration and shared best practice. Together, we’re building a sustainable model to ensure aged care residents receive the consistent, high-quality primary care they deserve.