Working with SWSPHN to enhance access to quality healthcare for all residents
Staying on top of accreditation, new systems, new programs and care connections can be challenging when you’re focused on the daily running of your residential aged care home.
This brochure outlines how South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) can help residential aged care home managers and nurses through stronger linkages with general practice and support with primary healthcare-related processes and improvements.
Services and resources
As our team grows and we continue to learn from the sector, we’ll keep expanding the support we provide to residential aged care homes.
After-hours healthcare toolkit
Planning for after-hours care is essential to support timely, appropriate healthcare when a GP or usual service isn’t available. This means preparing for care at night, on weekends or public holidays – times when residents may be more vulnerable to deterioration.
Effective after-hours planning helps reduce unnecessary hospital transfers by:
- improving staff response to health concerns
- raising awareness of local after-hours services and telehealth options
- supporting residents to make informed care decisions
The after-hours toolkit can help you:
- assess current preparedness
- identify gaps
- build practical, person-centred care plans
We’re here to support you in implementing the toolkit and embedding after-hours care processes tailored to your facility.
Download the toolkit and workbooks:
- After-hours planning support toolkit for aged care homes
- RACH after-hours healthcare planning workbook
- RACH resident after-hours healthcare planning workbook
Speak with your RACH Engagement Officer for guidance.
Improving access to healthcare with digital tools
Digital technologies can help streamline workflows, improve care coordination and support better decision-making while reducing unnecessary hospital transfers.
But knowing what’s available is only the first step. Staff also need confidence in when and how to use these tools effectively.
We offer one-on-one walk-throughs and training resources to help aged care staff implement and use digital health technologies, including:
My Health Record: Access and contribute to a resident’s health information to support safer, more informed care.
Telehealth: Use telehealth equipment and apps to connect residents with GPs and other healthcare providers remotely, reducing the need for transport or in-person visits.
Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Measure (ACOP)
The ACOP measure funds on-site pharmacists for up to five days per week, based on RACH bed numbers, to strengthen medication safety, governance and compliance in line with Royal Commission recommendations.
ACOPs work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals as part of the care team to:
- deliver medication reviews
- conduct clinical audits to improve care quality
- provide staff training
- support vaccination programs and
- improve prescribing practices and reduce hospital transfers
Having an ACOP on-site aims to strengthen clinical governance, lift quality indicators and boost resident safety — all while reducing risk and supporting accreditation.
Encourage regular GP visits
The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) is an Australian Government initiative designed to strengthen partnerships between general practices and residential aged care homes.
By supporting more regular and proactive GP visits, the program helps ensure residents receive consistent, high-quality primary care that aligns with aged care standards.
SWSPHN works with aged care homes, general practices and GPs to support the rollout of GPACI in our region, ensuring the incentive is implemented effectively for eligible residents.
Who we are
South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) is a not-for-profit health organisation funded by the Australian Government. We support general practices, residential aged care homes, and other primary care providers in delivering better health outcomes.
In aged care, we focus on improving access to healthcare for older people. We also commission services to address local health gaps.
SWSPHN covers the local government areas of Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly, and is one of 31 PHNs nationally.
Dedicated support for aged care
Our RACH Engagement Officers provide hands-on support to help you meet your residents’ healthcare needs and aged care obligations.
Need support or more information?
Contact our Aged Care Engagement team:
Email: agedcare@swsphn.com.au
Phone: 4632 3000
Primary Care Matters – Aged Care Edition
The Primary Care Matters – Aged Care Edition is a quarterly newsletter which aims to facilitate connections between our region’s more than 70 residential aged care homes (RACHs) and general practice, and provide information and resources to help RACHs stay on top of accreditation, new systems and programs.
Download the newsletters here:
