Problem:
Older Australians in regional areas face challenges accessing integrated, high-quality aged care. Systemic issues—including fragmented services, complex healthcare pathways, inconsistent training, and underutilisation of telehealth—contribute to poor health outcomes.
The IMOC Grant, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, addresses these barriers through collaborative service co-design. Geriatric Care Australia (GCA), in partnership with the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG), is leading implementation in Bowen (QLD), Maclean (NSW), and Gippsland (VIC).
Design/Methods
A co-design approach engages aged care providers, Primary Health Networks (PHNs), GPs, and community organisations to identify challenges and tailor solutions. Data analytics assess hospital admissions, primary care engagement, and workforce training. Telehealth models are being introduced to improve geriatric access, alongside education programs addressing training gaps and service navigation.
Practice Change
Key themes emerging from workshops include:
- Improving communication between PHNs, aged care facilities, and GPs.
- Enhancing workforce capacity with targeted aged care training.
- Expanding telehealth to support regional primary care.
- Strengthening service navigation for older adults and caregivers.
Re-audit
Ongoing data collection measures education impact, service coordination, and telehealth integration. Metrics include referral patterns, PHN resource usage, specialist engagement, and patient outcomes, informing further scaling and policy recommendations.
Conclusion
IMOC demonstrates the value of collaborative, data-driven solutions in regional aged care. Addressing service fragmentation, strengthening workforce education, and leveraging telehealth are key to sustainable, high-quality care, with potential for broader implementation.