14 November 2025

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Empowering regional clinicians to support patients with end-of-life care

We know navigating complex legal, ethical, and emotional decision making while supporting patients with end-of-life care can be challenging. 

Recent End of Life Law for Clinicians workshops in Kalgoorlie and Karratha brought together clinicians, educators and health system leaders to explore the legal components of end-of-life decision-making in clinical practice.

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Advance care planning: Benefits for general practice and patients

Hear from GP Dr Kanwal Singh from Burslem Medical Centre.

He discusses his practice's experience taking part in the Palliative Care Champions initiative last year which has greatly improved staff skills and confidence in advance care planning and early palliative care identification through education and mentoring.

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Year in Review 2024-2025

WAPHA is proud to share our Year in Review 2024-2025.

This year was defined by strategic alignment, collaborative partnerships, and a focus on inclusion and data-driven decision-making in the context of the ambitious Australian Government primary health care reform priorities. For an at a glance summary of our achievements, read our Activity Snapshot 2024-2025, and Cultural Competency, Equity and Inclusion Snapshot 2024-2025.

Embedding telehealth into everyday care

Our Digital Health Team are progressing the next phase of the residential aged care homes (RACH) telehealth project. Short term funding is supporting nine providers across 86 sites to further embed telehealth into everyday care. 

Narrogin Cottage Homes in the Wheatbelt have been proactive in using telehealth carts to boost access to allied health, like virtual dietitian appointments. These virtual consults allow for timely identification of a resident’s nutritional risk, which lead to the implementation of a tailored care plan, consistent monitoring and improved engagement and wellbeing.

Telehealth also improves clinical staff confidence in managing nutritional interventions, collaboration and improved ongoing resident care.

Immunisation, COVID-19 and the new reforms

The new Aged Care Act has strengthened the requirement for residential aged care providers to provide access to recommended vaccinations to their residents. This includes vaccines such as influenza, COVID-19, shingles and pneumococcal. 

The National Immunisation Program schedule outlines which vaccines an individual is eligible to receive. As we approach the festive season, it’s important to make sure aged care residents and workers keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination, as cases normally increase over this period.

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Updated palliative care pathways
now live on Clinician Assist WA

WAPHA is committed to improving access to safe, high-quality palliative care at home, helping ensure older people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Clinician Assist WA has recently launched a suite of new and updated palliative care clinical pathways. Developed in collaboration with leading subject matter experts, the pathways are designed to support health care professionals in providing palliative care support for patients and their families. Read more in our latest GP Connect clinical feature by GP Clinical Editor, Dr Cory Lei.

Access the pathways

EOI: ELDAC Linkages Program

The ELDAC Linkages Program is calling for expressions of interest from aged care providers who wish to strengthen their palliative care and advance care planning processes and capacity. The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and is seeking a diverse range of eligible aged care services from across Australia to participate in this initiative.

Submit an online Expression of Interest

Updating clinical guidelines for dementia care

Monash University is updating the 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia, to help improve the quality and consistency of dementia care. As part of this update, they want to hear from people living with dementia, their families and carers as well as people working in dementia practice, support and research.

Get involved 

Foundations in Mental Health Training

A free resource available to aged care organisations to help train workers to identify depression and anxiety in the older people they support and escalate appropriately within your organisation.

Register

A new chapter for aged care from 1 November 2025 – Webinar recording

This webinar supported aged care providers to manage the transition to the new Aged Care Act, Support at Home program, new regulatory model and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

Watch on demand and download FAQs

Resources: Sensory Loss project

Resources aimed at enhancing access to advance care planning for those with sensory loss are now available. Developed in collaboration with Palliative Care WA, the resources include a series of quick guides, reports and Auslan videos.

Source: Palliative Care WA

Webpage: After-hours support

WAPHA is helping RACHs with enhancing out-of-hours action planning. Updated resources are available on our website to assist aged care homes in self-auditing and improving after-hours care. Access the resources

Source: WA Primary Health Alliance

Guidelines: General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI)

The GPACI program guidelines have been updated with two key eligibility changes. Practices with a Bulk Billing Practice Incentive accreditation exemption are not eligible to participate in the GPACI and the previous 12-month exclusion period for care planning eligibility has been removed. 

Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Resources: Understanding the registered supporter role in aged care

New resources are available to help older people, and those supporting them, understand the role of registered supporters in aged care introduced as part of the new Aged Care Act. View the resources which include a brochure translated into 21 languages. 

Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Get ready for eNRMC: Safer, smarter medication management in aged care

In response to the Royal Commission’s findings, the Australian Government has invested $30 million to help RACHs adopt electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) systems.

By 1 March 2026, all RACHs must either use an approved eNRMC system with electronic prescribing or use a non-conformant version for administration purposes only and revert to paper-based processes. This will help improve safety, compliance and accountability, streamline workflows, enable better reporting and enhance communication between care teams.

Now is the time to talk with the GPs and nurse practitioners who support your residents about their eNRMC integration plans.

For more information, refer to the eNRMC User Resource.

Have your say: WA Carers Strategy

The State Government is developing a new Western Australia Carers Strategy (Strategy) with consultation for all unpaid carers and community members in WA.

Carers are encouraged to have their say to ensure it reflects the experiences, challenges and priorities of carers and responds to their diverse needs.

Take the online survey

EOI: End-of-Life and Palliative Care Advisory Committee

The WA Department of Health's End-of-Life Care Program is calling for expressions interest to join the End-of-Life and Palliative Care Advisory Committee.

To apply or for further information, please email eolcare@health.wa.gov.au. Applications close 12 December 2025.

Acknowledgement 

WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community.