Gippsland Primary Health Network will make an unprecedented investment in regional aged care services in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The Australian Government is providing more than $7 million in funding to help older people in Gippsland navigate the aged care system which is complex and often difficult for them to find and access the services they need.
Gippsland PHN will commission services to implement four aged care programs including care finder and early intervention programs which are both community facing as well as telehealth services and out of hours support for Residential Aged Care Facilities.
Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch, said there had long been calls for more localised and face-to-face support to help older people navigate, understand and access aged care, and connect with relevant supports in the community.
“In response to these calls and the recommendations of the Royal Commission, we are establishing these four programs including care finder which has a specific focus on older adults who might otherwise miss out on timely care and support and find the aged care sector too challenging,” Ms Proposch said.