Significant reform and funding is urgently needed to put an end to Australians living in residential aged care being unable to access timely and coordinated healthcare.
In a new position statement out today, the Australian Medical Association warns that residential aged care residents are unable to access regular GP care because of systematic failings in the aged care system.
Federal AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the current system prevents GPs from delivering ongoing effective care to their patients once they are in an aged-care setting.
“The current system is badly fragmented and, as is unfortunately often the case, it is patients who suffer as a result, with the system failing residents when they are at their most vulnerable,” Dr McMullen said.
“GPs have often known their patients for many years, but we are seeing a breakdown in care once patients enter aged care homes because of lack of funding, regulatory barriers, and poor interoperability between digital systems.
“GPs want to continue caring for their patients in aged care facilities, but current funding arrangements and regulations make it extremely difficult and financially unviable to do so.”
Dr McMullen said aged care providers and primary healthcare professionals must be equipped to work hand-in-glove. The Aged Care Act and the quality standards need to be reviewed so that access to GP care for patients is improved as part of a GP-led collaborative model.
“Ensuring residents can access regular and planned GP visits benefits patients and would move us away from the ineffectual crisis-driven care we currently see, which is detrimental for patients and has significant flow on effects to the rest of the healthcare system,” Dr McMullen said.
“The absence of preventive GP-led care results in many unnecessary hospital transfers and admissions. This places pressure on public hospitals and exacerbates problems such as ambulance ramping, pushing aged care residents into hospital when care could be provided safely where they live.
“If aged care residents had regular access to their usual GP and an adequate registered nurse presence in their facility, these issues could be avoided. The AMA wants to see investment in integrated care models, fair funding, modern digital infrastructure, and sustainable workforce strategies so aged care residents receive high-quality care.”
