Aged Care Connect

21 August 2026

In this issue:

Latest news

General Practice in Aged Care Incentive spotlight: Innovation across Busselton and Dunsborough

Dunsborough GP Mostyn Hamdorf visiting his patients at Capecare Busselton

Capecare is delivering an innovative, place‑based solution to strengthen access to primary care for residents living in aged care homes across Busselton and Dunsborough through WA Primary Health Alliance's (WAPHA's) General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) Thin Markets funding. The initiative responds to longstanding challenges in the region, including limited GP availability, workforce pressures and increasing demand from an ageing population.

A key feature of the activity is the introduction of dedicated primary care coordinator roles across Capecare’s residential aged care homes (RACHs). These roles are designed to strengthen relationships between aged care staff, general practices and residents, improving access to regular primary health care visits, health assessments and coordinated care planning.

Early implementation has focused on establishing the model, building strong local partnerships and laying the foundations for sustainable engagement between aged care homes and general practices. This includes reviewing integration processes, identifying workflow improvements and enhancing communication pathways to support more consistent, resident‑centred care. Some early wins have been supporting GP practices with MyMedicare registrations and enduring allocation of benefits documentation.

As the model progresses, Capecare’s leadership is expected to contribute to increased access to primary care for residents across the City of Busselton demonstrating the impact of thoughtful, place‑based innovation.

Telehealth training in regional WA

WAPHA’s aged care team recently visited 14 RACHs across the Great Southern and South West regions to provide telehealth training. The RACHs were guided in use of healthdirect Video Call, a secure telehealth platform that is government funded and free for residential aged and primary care services to use. Explore local examples of healthdirect Video Call implementation.

To learn more about healthdirect Video Call and using telehealth at your RACH please email aged.care@wapha.org.au.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

World Loneliness Awareness Week was held in June, highlighting the importance of supporting older people who may be experiencing loneliness.

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme can help by matching older people with volunteers for regular visits and social connection.

Learn more about the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme, eligibility and currently funded organisations in WA.

Care finders Kimberley live tender advice

WAPHA is seeking to engage a suitably qualified provider to deliver the care finders program across the Kimberley region with full service delivery to commence by 1 January 2027 and conclude on 30 June 2029.

Providers who are interested may wish to review the listing on our tenders webpage to determine whether any opportunities align with their capabilities and experience. The tender closes 10 September 2026.

View the care finders program Kimberley tender

Are you ready for eNRMC transitional arrangements ending 31 December?

Transitional arrangements allow electronic National Residential Medication Charts (eNRMC) systems that are not conformant to national electronic prescribing standards to generate and manage prescriptions.

From 31 December 2026, prescriptions generated using eNRMC software that does not meet national electronic prescribing standards will no longer be valid. While these systems may continue to be used for administrative purposes, a separate paper or electronic PBS prescription, or a paper National Residential Medication Chart (NRMC), will be required. To check whether your medication management software meets national standards, refer to the eNRMC conformance status tracker or see the Electronic Prescribing Conformance Register.

For more information visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website or contact aged.care@wapha.org.au.

Immunisation tracking in aged care

Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect older people living in residential aged care. As aged care reforms place greater emphasis on immunisation and preventative health, WAPHA is supporting RACHs, GPs and pharmacists to strengthen vaccination planning, coordination and reporting.

Through the Residential Aged Care Home Immunisation Support Program, WAPHA helps RACHs safely deliver onsite vaccinations, meet reporting requirements and reduce administrative burden, while improving vaccination uptake among residents.

Improving medication safety with the Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist program

Sara, Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist at Hall & Prior Braemar Cooinda

The Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP) program is a permanently funded Australian Government initiative that enables aged care homes to embed a credentialed pharmacist within their clinical team to improve medication safety and quality of care.

From 1 July 2026, pharmacists participating in the ACOP Measure are required to hold an ACOP credential. The transition arrangements that allowed Medication Management Review (MMR) credentialed pharmacists to participate ended on 30 June 2026.

The annual payment amount for participating RACHs and community pharmacies also increased from 1 July 2026 to $145,277.04 GST inclusive per full-time equivalent ACOP.

Proven impact

Hall & Prior has demonstrated the value of this model by embedding ACOP pharmacists across its homes and supporting consistent improvements in medication management.

At individual sites the approach has translated to measurable outcomes, including:

Polypharmacy reduced from 53.5% to 30.4% of residents.
Use of antipsychotics as chemical restraint reduced from 17.1% to 6.9%.
Strong positive feedback from both staff and residents.

These changes are significant, as polypharmacy is linked to increased risks such as falls, hospitalisation and reduced quality of life.

WAPHA can support RACHs to implement the ACOP, including connecting homes with suitable pharmacists and guiding setup. For more information or to discuss support, contact aged.care@wapha.org.au.

My Health Record supports strengthened Aged Care Quality and Safety Standards

Access to key health information in My Health Record supports transitional and residential care clinical teams to deliver care that aligns with the strengthened Aged Care Quality and Safety Standards. These include:

Standard 5 - Clinical care

Access prescription and dispensing information, hospital discharge information, shared health summaries, diagnostic imaging and pathology results to support delivery of safe and quality clinical care services.
Access advanced care planning documents to support provision of care that meets the needs, goals and preferences of residents in palliative and end-of-life care.

Standard 3 -The care and services

Access shared health summaries to support provision of care that meets the needs, goals and preferences of the resident.

For more information about how to register and use My Health Record access the resources below or contact aged.care@wapha.org.au.

Registration support for residential aged care providers

Using My Health Record in residential aged care settings

Multicultural Reference Group latest meeting communique

WAPHA's Multicultural Stakeholder Reference Group is made up of a diverse range of experts in the field of multicultural health service delivery and lived experience and provides insight and input to guide and support the implementation of WAPHA’s Multicultural Competency and Capability Framework and other related activities and initiatives.

Read the communique from their recent meeting where they discussed the barriers to culturally responsive care, training needs, examples of good practice and preferred learning approaches.

Multidisciplinary Health Care Advisory Panel latest meeting communique

WAPHA's Multidisciplinary Health Care Advisory Panel supports strengthened integration of multidisciplinary and allied health into primary care, improving access and equity, and supporting the design and implementation of multidisciplinary models of care.

Read the communique from their recent meeting where they discussed the enablers and barriers to effective team-based care.

Resources

Checklist: Personal care contribution provider readiness checklist

From 1 October 2026, personal care services will move to the Clinical Supports contribution category. The Provider readiness checklist helps providers prepare for the change. Find out more.

Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Palliative Care Needs Assessment 2026

WAPHA has published an updated Palliative Care Needs Assessment. Drawing on data, service mapping and sector wide stakeholder consultation, the Needs Assessment provides an evidence-based overview of palliative care access and need across WA. Read the Needs Assessment.

Posters: New primary care cultural safety resources

A suite of resources to support culturally safe health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is now available. The resource pack includes client and staff-facing posters, as well as a practical guide to support cultural safety conversations, workforce capability and accreditation requirements within primary care settings. Access the resources.

Source: The Partnership for Justice in Health

Resources: Care worker resources for end-of-life care

New resources for Support at Home providers are available to upskill care workers supporting people receiving end-of-life care at home. The free resources include symptom management tip sheets to help recognise and support the non-pharmacological management of symptoms and practical care guides and

videos. See all resources.

Source: caring@home

Government updates

Support at Home Thin Markets grant opportunity

The Australian Government has released the third funding round under the Support at Home Thin Markets Grant program. Providers that received funding in Round 1 and/or Round 2 may also apply in Round 3.

Find out more and apply through Grant Connect

Dementia Training Program grant opportunity

The Australian Government has released a grant opportunity to fund the delivery of accredited and non-accredited education, upskilling and professional development in dementia care. The delivery of activities will reflect the emerging dementia, health and aged care landscape, including recent aged care reforms and increasing demand for services.

Find out more and apply through Grant Connect

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 directed 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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