165139 - GP Hubs: Supporting Your Patient in a Complex System - An Aged Care Case Study

To improve management of people in community, particularly those with co-morbidities and in conjunction with the local hospital and a multidisciplinary team. 
To improve understanding and knowledge of the aged care system, particularly My Aged Care.

Nearly a quarter of Australians have two or more chronic conditions. People with multiple long-term conditions have poorer overall health outcomes with higher rates of health service utilisation and increased costs. In particular, older populations have high prevalence rates of chronic conditions and exacerbations of their conditions, leading to increased ED presentations, potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPH) and acute care demand. A study include 6,200 adults in WA identified some chronic conditions as two to four times more prevalent in people aged over 65 years compared to WA. (PHN Needs Assessment Reporting Template, Perth South PHN, 2018.) GPs need to understand how to best manage the needs of this patient cohort. 

The changes to the aged care sector with the introduction of My Aged Care has impacted on the services that older people can access. GPs need to better understand these changes and how it will impact on their older patients.