Aged Care Program Highlights - May 2026
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8 May 2026 

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In this issue:

Latest news | Read

 

Training and events | Read

 

Resources | Read

 

Government updates | Read

 

Latest News

Why conversations about palliative care matter

Graphic promoting National Palliative Care Week (10–16 May) with the text “Getting to the heart of it. Big questions. Real answers."

As Australia’s population ages, access to palliative care is more crucial than ever. National Palliative Care Week is a chance to start conversations, raise awareness and advocate for better access to and acceptance of palliative and end-of-life care. This year’s theme is Getting to the heart of it: Big questions. Real answers. 


Through the National Partnership Agreement: Optimising Primary Care Coordination for People Living in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) project, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) is focusing on building capability of staff working in aged care organisations involved in the project, to:

  • Start palliative and end-of-life conversations earlier and more confidently.
  • Support residents and their families to understand their choices.
  • Embed advance care planning as core business.
  • Deliver care that prioritises dignity, comfort and what matters most.
  • Recognise expected deterioration and provide quality, generalist palliative care to support choice regarding preferred place of care.
  • Access specialist palliative care services to support complex care, when required.

 

Read more about WAPHAs commitment to improving access to palliative care and visit 

Palliative Care Australia for a range of resources and events.

Digital health and after-hours care planning

Pictured is the team at Juniper Waratah Lodge located in Wagin during a WAPHA telehealth training session


Pictured: Team at Juniper Waratah Lodge in Wagin during a WAPHA telehealth training session.

WAPHA's Aged Care Team is providing onsite and virtual digital health training in telehealth and My Health Record, as well as after-hours planning guidance for RACHs across WA.

 

WAPHA works closely with stakeholders across the WA aged care sector to empower health professionals and enable increased access to care.


Register for
training and support here, or contact RACFTelehealthandAfterhours

@wapha.org.au. RACHs that participated in WAPHA's telehealth cart rollout each received a battery to enhance cart portability. Please contact the Aged Care Team for assistance with your cart battery or refer to the online guide.

 

Learn more about WAPHA's Aged Care Program.

Winter immunisation update


As part of the 2026 Winter Strategy, the WA Department of Health is prioritising the prevention of winter illness across the community.


Correspondence from the Communicable Disease Control Directorate, was sent to aged care providers this week with details about the two new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programs for older Western Australians.


The WA Department of Health requests that you inform residents and carers about their eligibility and include RSV immunisation in your winter vaccination plans. RSV vaccines can be given at the same time as influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.


WAPHA is available to support residential aged care providers with immunisation, including provision of consent form templates, tracking tools, education and quality improvement resources. Email immunisation@wapha.org.au for more information.

Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist expressions of interest still open

WAPHA is continuing to support RACHs to participate in the Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP) Measure.


If your aged care home has not yet submitted an expression of interest (EOI) we encourage you to do so. This will allow WAPHA to provide tailored information and support, as well as connect you with available credentialed pharmacists.


Submitting an EOI does not commit your service to participation and can be completed even if you are still exploring options or seeking more information.


 

Submit an expression of interest or contact the ACOP program team at acop@wapha.org.au.

RACH after-hours resources to support quality improvement and reduce hospitalisations

Hospitalisations are a key Quality Indicator (QI) Program measure for residential aged care. After-hours is often when escalation pathways, access to primary care and information availability can vary. 

Strengthening after-hours systems can help reduce avoidable transfers and support consistent, resident-centred decisions. WAPHA’s RACH after-hours resources includes an after-hours preparation audit tool to help plan QI activities and assist with escalation, recognising deterioration, clinical handover, advance care planning, telehealth and digital health.

 

For information or support, contact RACFTelehealthandAfterHours@wapha.org.au.

Looking for a GP?

A health professional sits at a table and speaks with an older person.

The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) encourages regular GP attendance, structured care planning and improved continuity elements that are increasingly vital as resident needs become more complex. 


A key strength of the program is its emphasis on collaboration. Strong, reliable communication between RACHs and GP practices helps ensure that residents receive timely reviews, follow‑up and preventative care. When workflows are aligned, both providers and residents benefit from smoother processes and clearer expectations. 


Many RACHs, however, still face challenges when residents do not have a regular GP. If you have residents without a consistent primary care provider, or if you're experiencing difficulty securing GP support, we welcome you to reach out. While we cannot guarantee GP availability, we can communicate your needs to interested GPs and encourage them to contact you directly. 

 

RACHs seeking GP support are invited to email practiceassist@wapha.org.au with their details and level of need. We will do our best to assist and help strengthen access to primary care for your residents. 

Training and events

View All Events

Two older adults sitting together, looking at a digital device and smiling.

Ageism workshops

In person or online | Australian Humans Rights Commission


As part of a national project to challenge age-related stereotypes, free workshops are available to improve communication and promote quality care. These workshops can be delivered face to face or online and can be tailored to clinical or non-clinical teams.

 

Learn more or contact
Age.DiscriminationCommissioner@humanrights.gov.au

Graphic promoting a National Palliative Care Week Lecture, featuring image of guest speaker and button to find out more.

Rethinking Dementia and End-of-Life Care

14 May 2026 | 12:30pm (AEST) | Online | Palliative Care Australia


As part of National Palliative Care Week 2026, join this livestream delivered by a national leader in palliative care, Dr Michael Chapman. The lecture will discuss what dementia means for our communities and how that influences the impact dementia has on us all.

 

Find out more and register

RACGP event: Palliative Care in Residential Aged Care Settings

13 May 2026 | 7-9pm | In person event at Bethesda Hospital and hosted by Bethesda Palliative Care Service

► RSVP to rsvp@bethesda.org.au

Training for pharmacists: 
ASPIRE Palliative Care Foundation Training Program


Online module | 8 hours | Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

► Find out more and register 

Resources

Training resources: Toolkit for GPs working in RACHs

Access tools and resources designed to provide local GPs working in aged care with relevant and practical information and resources on a range of clinical topics. Access the toolkit.


Source: RACGP

 

Guide: Values and preferences statement for a person with impaired
decision-making capacity


This form supports the documentation of values and preferences (non-statutory document) for people whose capacity is diminished. Download a copy.


Source: Advance Care Planning Australia

 

Fact sheet: MyMedicare incapacitated persons registration pathways

A fact sheet to help staff and practitioners in general practices and RACHs support patients who need help registering for MyMedicare. Download the fact sheet.


Source: The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Video: Advance Care Directives - John's story


Living with dementia, hear from John, who wrote an Advanced Care Directive so that his family and carers would know what is important to him. Watch the video.


Source: Government of South Australia



Government updates

Support at Home personal care services

The Australian Government will fully fund personal care for eligible Support at Home participants from 1 October 2026.

Under this change, funding for personal care will move from 'independence' to the 'clinical supports' category. Personal care includes help with tasks such as showering, dressing and non-clinical continence management.

To access personal care at no out-of-pocket cost, participants must have:

  • Approval for the personal care service type in their support plan.
  • Available Support at Home funding.

The changes do not apply to services delivered before 1 October.

 

Read the Minister's media release

You are receiving this email as an interested party for activities related to the Primary Health Network Aged Care Program or have signed up through our website. All enquiries related to the Aged Care Program should be attention to healthpolicy@wapha.org.au

Our mailing address is: WA Primary Health Alliance Level 2, 1 Hood Street Subiaco, WA 6008 Australia

Disclaimer


WA Primary Health Alliance’s publications and the material within them are intended for use by health professionals for general information purposes and do not replace clinical decision making. Please read our full disclaimer.


While the Australian Government contributed funding for this material, it has not reviewed the content and is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided herein.

Acknowledgement 

WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of this country. We honour Elders, past and present, and recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal peoples to their lands, waters and culture. We recognise the diversity and strength of Aboriginal peoples, and the significant importance of self-determination and cultural knowledge in supporting the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community

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