GMCT Specialty Service Networks
Aged Care
Chair: Professor Richard Lindley
Across and within Area Health Services, there is variation in the level and type of aged care services currently provided. These differences reflect historical socio-economic differences, based on resources and demography.
The GMCT Aged Care Network is supported via the GMCT secretariat and has been meeting in various forms since 2003. Medical, nursing, allied health and consumer participants are linked by the common goal of improving the quality of care for the older person.
Four working groups have been established by the Executive Committee to address four key areas identified by the Executive as priorities. These working parties will aim to explore existing service models, gaps in service provision and possible solutions to these gaps.
- Community and Residential Outreach
- Chair: Dr Gideon Caplan
- Chair: Dr Gideon Caplan
- Management of behavioural disturbance (delirium)
- Chair: Dr Peter Gonski
- Chair: Dr Peter Gonski
- Ortho-Geriatric Liaison Services
- Chair: Dr Laura Ahmad
- Implementation Officer: Celine Hill
- Workforce/Incentives
- Chair : Dr Peter Landau
Achievements
In 2008, the Network received funding for an Implementation Officer to progress the Ortho-Geriatric Liaison Model of Care.
In 2002, a Model of Care for older people was developed as part of the Government Action Plan (GAP) and endorsed by the NSW Health Clinical Council. The GMCT Aged Care Working Group developed a proposal to implement the endorsed Model of Care. The model prescribes a population-based 20 to 30 bed centralised ward with a dedicated multi-disciplinary team and specified staffing levels It defines the services required in the acute unit, consultation required with other units, and also the interface needed with community services. Also outlined are workforce requirements and associated costs. The proposal was presented to the Minister in December, 2003.