New resource kit to help GPs and RACHs improve collaboration

Brisbane North PHN has developed the GP-RACH Partnership Resource Kit in collaboration with key representatives from across the sector to provide a suite of tools and tips for improving coordination between RACHs and GPs.

As part of the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) implementation support program, Brisbane North PHN undertook a series of workshops, consultations and in-person conversations with residential aged care homes (RACHs), general practitioners (GPs), practice managers, nurse practitioners and Metro North Health staff. As a result, the GP-RACH Partnership Resource Kit was identified as a key need and has now been developed as a guide for operational practice.

The aim of the co-designed resource is to share the tools identified as most useful for improving coordination between RACHs and GPs. The resource kit provides a framework and conversation starters and is intended to support RACHs and GPs—it is not a manual where all parts need to be completed.

The resource kit has three sections: the first focuses on Establishing a Partnership, the second focuses on Embedding Systems, and the third on Providing Quality Care. It is not required to be completed in a linear fashion, rather it is designed to provide options for additional support at any stage of a RACH-GP partnership.

The resource kit has been developed after significant consultation across the sector. One such consultation was at the Residential Aged Care Collaborative meeting held in September 2025, attended by 25 people including GPs, residential aged care staff, nurse practitioners, general practice staff and Brisbane North PHN staff.

The session was run in a ‘World Café’ format, which provided a relaxed way for all involved to share ideas and challenges in an inclusive environment. One RACH staff member commented: ‘[I] felt very comfortable speaking in a smaller group and expressing the challenges we are facing and hearing the same from GPs. [It] allowed us to work out better ways of working together.’

Brisbane North PHN Healthy Ageing – Lead Sahba Dehghani said the PHN is extremely grateful to those who generously shared their expertise.

‘We have been consulting with the sector over the course of a year to make this resource kit as practical and applicable in the real world as possible,’ Sahba said.

‘From the resource kit we hope to see a revitalisation of people working together as teams to provide the best primary care for the resident that is efficient for GPs and RACHs.

‘The PHN is committed to developing resources that genuinely have an impact and we look forward to hearing feedback to continue to improve it.’

Through collaborative effort, stronger partnerships between RACHs and GPs will support improved planning and delivery of primary care services for residents in the RACH setting.

Access the GP-RACH Partnership Resource Kit.