Primary Care Access for Aged Care
Healthy North Coast is committed to supporting the community and our healthcare providers in improving health outcomes and ensuring access to primary care for residents of aged care homes in our region, (RACH).
If you’re a GP seeking more information about RACH, view here.
Residential aged care homes, residents and families
Information for Residents and Carers
What is Residential Aged Care?
Residential aged care homes (RACHs) provide older people with 24/7 support, safety, and social connection when living independently becomes difficult, helping them maintain dignity and quality of life. For carers, it offers relief and reassurance, though often accompanied by emotional challenges as they adjust to a new role in their loved one’s care journey.
I am about to enter aged care. How do I ensure I get the best medical care available?
Speak with your existing GP to determine whether they will be able to continue providing care for you as you enter this next stage. You can also speak with the staff at the care home to determine which GPs attend your home of choice. Having this information will allow you and your carers to make the best decision about your ongoing medical care needs.
What is MyMedicare and the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive?
MyMedicare is a voluntary patient registration program, designed to encourage the provision of continuous care from your general practitioner, which leads to better outcomes for your health. The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) is a payment from the government provided to GPs and practices for delivering planned coordinated care to residents of aged care homes. In order for your doctor to receive these incentives, the patients must be registered for the MyMedicare program to their practice.
 Can I change doctors once I am registered?
Yes, you always have a choice in your medical practitioner, and you can elect to withdraw or switch your MyMedicare registration at any time.
For more information see the following resources:
- General Practice in Aged Care Incentive – Frequently asked questions for aged care residents and carers
- This resource answers common questions about the payment for aged care residents, their families and carers. It covers who can get it, how to give consent, how to register, and how billing works.
- This resource answers common questions about the payment for aged care residents, their families and carers. It covers who can get it, how to give consent, how to register, and how billing works.
- Aged Care Residents Information Booklet
- This booklet is designed to be distributed to residential aged care residents who are interested in learning more about the incentive.
Information and resources for Residential Aged Care Homes
High quality care for older people requires good communication and excellent collaborative relationships between care home staff, treating GPs, the resident and their carers. Please find below some helpful resources to assist with these working relationships.
Working collaboratively with aged care for improved outcomes
Coordination Toolkit – A resource for partnerships between residential aged care homes and general practice.
General Practice and RACH Collaboration Action Plan
The General Practice and RACH Collaboration Action Plan  tool is intended to facilitate a practical action plan between Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) and General Practices (GP).Â
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - RACH and General Practice, template
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – RACH and General Practice template was developed to support collaborative relationships between RACH and General Practice to ensure residents receive person-centered care that is continuous, safe, timely and effective and delivered in the most appropriate care setting.
RACH orientation information for GPs
RACH orientation information for GPs. The orientation proforma houses information to assist GPs with details about the Residential Aged Care Home (RACH).
Also, available is the template for RACH and GP coordination of meeting minutes. Download Coordination Meeting Proforma template.
Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist Program
Community pharmacies and aged care providers can now employ credentialed pharmacists to work on-site in residential aged care homes, with support from the government to cover the employment costs. These aged care onsite pharmacists (ACOP) will work as an important part of the multidisciplinary clinical team, assisting with improving understanding and supervision in relation to medication needs.
Funding and Eligibility
This program provides for one full time Pharmacist per 250 beds, with funding allocated in 50 bed blocks. To be eligible to participate, aged care homes must have an electronic National Residential Medication chart in place or be committed to implementing one within the next 12 months. More information on this program can be found here.
If you are a residential aged care home interested in participating in the program, or a credentialled pharmacist wanting to work as an aged care onsite pharmacist, we would like to hear from you. Please contact our healthy Living and Ageing team, please use the contact form below.
