Major funding boost to support care for older people in the Murrumbidgee

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) has recently received funding to support the provision of a range of initiatives in aged care across the Murrumbidgee Region.

The funding is part of the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) CEO Melissa Neal said the funding is aimed at supporting healthly ageing for people whether they are living in the community or in residential aged care facilities.

 “Aged care is one of the PHNs seven priority areas of work. This new funding will support an increased focus on developing the capacity of residential aged care facilities including access to after- hours support and utilisation of telehealth to improve access to health care and the delivery of early intervention programs to support the wellbeing of older people to live longer in the community.”

“MPHN is looking forward to continuing to work with and building on our existing relationships to support Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) to deliver quality services in aged care,” Ms Neal said.

Anita McRae, MPHNs Senior Manager System Integration said commissioned services and activities will help address the needs and gaps that have been identified in caring for older people in community and in residential aged care “Through this funding our aim will be to support RACFs across the Murrumbidgee to facilitate access to contemporary telehealth supports and have after-hours GP support so unnecessary hospital presentations can be reduced.” said Ms McRae.

“This funding will also improve early intervention programs so more senior Murrumbidgee residents can live in the community for longer.”

The funding will be delivered over four years with services to commence in the first quarter of 2022.