Training and support to enchance dementia care

General practices on the Redcliffe Peninsula can now access free training and support to improve the quality of care they provide to patients with dementia.

The Dementia Quality Enhancement in Primary Care Project supports 25 practices on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Practices can choose to participate in any or all of the following activities:

• extend the knowledge and range of skills for practice staff through education and training
• engage a General Practice Liaison Officer (GPLO) to provide peer-to-peer support
• enhance continuous evidence-based quality improvement
• improve networking and collaboration through the participation in the Redcliffe Alliance for Older People.

This project is part of the four-year Integrated Model of Dementia Care Program and one of the six projects Brisbane North PHN is implementing to enhance coordinated care for people with dementia, their families and carers.

While dementia care is largely provided in primary care, often spanning many years from the point of early detection, through to diagnosis and on-going management, the condition’s complexity means this can be challenging.

The emotional response of families and individuals, diverse needs of the range of services and the difficulty of navigating through complicated health, care and support systems, all add to this complexity.

Recognising these barriers, this project takes a collaborative, person-centred approach to supporting general practices and focuses on key perspectives that could improve quality of dementia care in the primary care setting.

It is delivered in partnership with Dementia Training Australia (DTA), Metro North Hospital and Health Service, and residential aged care facilities.

The first of three training workshops for GPs and practice nurses was on 23 March 2019. Co-presented by DTA’s Dr Allan Shell and Redcliffe Hospital Medical Director Dr Catherine Yelland, it received positive feedback from all participants.

Practices involved in the project receive support from a GPLO and Primary Care Liaison Officer to develop and implement customised continuous quality improvement plans.

Where practices have a current PenCAT license under the health data program, they are able to receive tailored reports to support the care of patients with dementia.

Additional support includes access to a localised (online) dementia pathway and the revised and reprinted Moreton Bay Dementia Directory.

Participating practice staff also have the opportunity to attend meetings of the Redcliffe Alliance for Older People. Held at a local residential aged care facility, these meetings can help to extend a practice’s network and increase its collaboration with other service providers.

Collaboration between service providers can help to improve continuity of care for people living with dementia and their carers.

To participate in the project, email Primary Care Liaison Officer Jo-Lyn Harding at jo-lyn.harding@brisbanenorthphn.org.au.

For more information about the project, please contact GPLO Dr John Bennett at john.bennett@brisbanenorthphn.org.au.