Residential aged care homes

Brisbane North PHN works closely with Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs), residents and their families to promote quality care in their home. There are more than 9000 Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) beds across 86 homes across Brisbane City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Somerset Regional Councils which span our region.

Access to GP care for RACH residents

Brisbane North PHN is working with general practices and Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) to support better access to GPs for RACH residents.

Telehealth care

Brisbane North PHN is supporting Residential Aged Care Homes to access and utilise telehealth supported care for their residents.

Enhanced after-hours support

Brisbane North PHN has been working with RACHs since 2021 to develop resources that support RACH staff during the after-hours period.

Collaboratives - Residential Aged Care and Palliative Care

Collaborative groups bring individuals and organisations together to identify local issues, problem solve and promote communication that supports coordination of care for people in the community.

COVID-19 for Residential Aged Care

Protecting older Australians and the people who care for them is a priority. Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease.

Residential Aged Care education and events

Brisbane North PHN Residential Aged Care team host several education days and events throughout the year.

Residential Aged Care Home newsletters

The RACH Round-up Newsletter is our fortnightly news bulletin from Brisbane North PHN bringing you updates about the work we are doing in the residential aged care sector, and information about other projects, programs and events that support residential aged care in the Brisbane North PHN region.

The following activities are being delivered to support residential aged care in our region:

enhanced out of hours support for residential aged care
increased access and utilisation of telehealth for residents through provision of funding
improved cross sector engagement and information sharing through Brisbane North residential aged care collaboratives
increased access to training, resources and support for staff
supply and distribution of the Yellow Envelopes to support effective clinical handovers.

Enhanced after-hours support for residential aged care

Brisbane North PHN is currently undertaking a project to enhance access to out of hours care for consumers in aged care facilities in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region. A range of strategies are being employed to ensure this project results in building awareness and utilization of after-hours services. The intended aim of the project is to improve consumer care and reduce unnecessary hospital presentations.

A range of strategies are being developed and will be used as part of this project including to:

compile an up-to-date list of after-hour service options in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region
develop a checklist tool to assist aged care facilities to assess their existing after-hours plans
provide guidance and support to assist aged care facilities to develop/update and implement their after-hours action plans
promote educational opportunities for staff in residential aged care facilities to build capacity in utilizing after-hours action plans and associated resources
encourage facilities to implement procedures to update consumer digital health records
promote engagement between facilities, the general practitioner team and allied health professionals in relation to after-hours care.

After-hours action plan self-assessment checklist

Brisbane North PHN has developed an after-hours action plan self-assessment checklist with feedback from residential aged care facilities in the Brisbane North and Moreton Bay region. Facilities are encouraged to conduct an assessment of their current after-hours care arrangements in relation to responding to clinical deterioration.

The key elements of an after-hours action plan should include consideration of:

clinical governance
workforce
infrastructure
systems

Results of this review should be used to guide the development or revision of an after-hours action plan.

Download the after-hours self-assessment checklist

After-hours action plan template

Brisbane North PHN has developed an after-hours action plan template than can be used in conjunction with the self-assessment checklist to develop or update an after-hours action plan. Facilities are encouraged to use this resource as a starting point when developing or revising their plan and customise it to suit the needs of their organisation.

Download the after-hours plan template

After-hours services in North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region

Brisbane North PHN has developed a resource for residential aged care staff to support awareness of available local after-hours services. This resource should be used in conjunction with each facility’s After-Hours Action Plan.

Using appropriate after-hours services can:

support residential aged care staff with advice and medical guidance
provide best practice care for consumers
reduce unnecessary hospital presentations
promote early identification and clinical assessment of health deterioration.

Download the after-hours services options

Yellow Envelope clinical handover tool

The Yellow Envelope is a clinical handover tool designed for use within the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay catchment to support the transfer of clinical information for aged care residents to and from hospital.

The Yellow Envelope clinical handover tool enables:

effective clinical handover to other care settings
the ability to share resident documents including Advanced Care Health Directives
the ability to implement timely changes in resident care on return from other clinical settings.

Watch the Yellow Envelope clinical handover tool video for aged care staff

Watch the Yellow Envelope clinical handover tool video for hospital staff