Free after-hours healthcare toolkit for residential care homes
The North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) has developed a free after-hours healthcare toolkit for residential aged care homes (RACHs).
Providing care for an injured or ill resident at night, on weekends, or on public holidays, can be challenging. The toolkit aims to better support staff and families when this distressing situation arises.
Called the After-hours health care toolkit for residential aged care homes, the free resources include an after-hours action planning audit tool, family fact sheet, medical support checklist, person-centred after-hours action plan and an after-hours service directory.
The toolkit helps staff assess current preparedness, keep resident medical records up-to-date, prepare resident action plans, communicate with relevant family members and compile a list of local health, welfare and emergency services.
Primary Health Networks received funding to support the federal government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The funding is aimed at supporting primary health networks in bringing greater awareness to RACHs about the after-hours services provided by general practitioners and other health professionals. These services can reduce hospital presentations for RACH residents, through providing appropriate care in the facility.
The NWPHN consulted widely with the aged care sector, South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, Ambulance Victoria, Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, West Metro Health Service Partnerships and providers of residential in-reach services to create the collection of resources.
The toolkit:
- provides guidance on creating appropriate after-hours plans for residents
- educates staff on after-hours healthcare options and processes
- encourages procedures for keeping residents’ digital medical records up-to-date, particularly following an episode where after-hours care was required
- supports engagement between RACHs and their residents’ GPs and other relevant health professionals as part of after-hours action plans.
The resources and templates are designed to be dynamic documents, meaning plans should be revised and updated regularly to reflect policies and procedures, available services, and changes in care.
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