A $10M fund set up to improve the quality of health care for aged care recipients.
About
The Australian Government is building a better, fairer and more nationally consistent aged care system. The Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination represents the commencement of a 10 year reform program to create a flexible and seamless system that provides older Australians with more choice, control and easier access to a full range of services, where they want it and when they need it. It also positions the aged care system to meet the social and economic challenges of the nation’s ageing population.
The Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination will improve the health and well-being of older people by providing support for increased provision of multidisciplinary care for aged care recipients, encompassing general practitioners, nurses and other primary health care providers, specialists and aged care providers. It will address the significant and persistent barriers that exist for aged care recipients, particularly those in residential aged care, in accessing primary health care.
Specifically the Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination supports both a a trial of an aged care multidisciplinary care coordination and advisory service (Aged Care Coordinators) in up to nine locations across Australia and a pilot delivering General Practitioner (GP) consultations by videoconference to aged care recipients in up to 30 Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs).
Objectives
The aim of the Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination is to improve the quality of health care for aged care recipients in both community and residential aged care settings.
The purpose of the Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination is to trial aged care coordination services, including support for a pilot of General Practitioners providing consultations via video conference to residents of participating Residential Aged Care Facilities.
Under the Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination there are three funding streams:
- Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination and Advisory Service funding for up to nine full time equivalent Coordinators across Australia (funding to successful applicants);
- Support for up to 30 Residential Aged Care Facilities participating in the pilot of General Practitioners providing video consultation services to their residents ; and
- Clinical service payments (outside of the MBS) made to General Practitioners for video consultation services delivered to residents of participating Residential Aged Care Facilities.
The Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination ’s objectives are to:
- Promote the expanded use of in-reach services to RACFs.
- Promote the development of regionally or locally-based visiting multi-disciplinary health care teams.
- Develop better links with the health system in both the community and residential settings.
- Promote multidisciplinary care for aged care recipients.
- Create linkages that assist specialists, general practitioners, allied health professionals and aged care providers to deliver multidisciplinary care, utilising relevant Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) items, incentives and local resources.
- Develop a business case on the appropriateness and potential impacts of telehealth as a way of delivering better access to GP services in residential aged care.
Funding
As part of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms, the Government is providing $10 million over five years from 2013-13 to 2016-17 to support older Australians with complex health needs who would benefit from increased access to multidisciplinary teams of health professionals to coordinate their care and treatment.
Eligible Projects
Activities supported under the Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination will include those that:
- Work to create linkages and assist specialists, general practitioners, allied health professionals and aged care providers to deliver multidisciplinary care, utilising relevant Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) items, incentives and local resources.
- Support the provision of patient centred and coordinated multidisciplinary care in both residential and community care settings.
- Have a specific focus on developing and promoting models of GP led multidisciplinary care to older people.
- Do not duplicate existing trials or services.
- Build on and complement existing initiatives and services.
- Have strong local support.
- Deliver verifiable benefits such as improved health outcomes for older people, increased usage of multidisciplinary care planning and improved access to healthcare services.’
Eligible Applicants
The Department is seeking applications from interested Medicare Locals and/or existing approved providers of residential or community aged care services. Applications will not be accepted from entities that are not existing Medicare Locals and/or existing approved providers of residential or community aged care services.
Timing
Applications Close 21 December 2012.
Expert Assistance
Writing a good quality grant application is a critical element in the application process. An application needs to be well thought through, written concisely, have clear objectives and purpose, and show clear links to the objectives of the grant guidelines.
The grant application must answer all questions, provide all required information and respond to the merit criteria. It should also reflect your organisation’s business strategy.
Writing a good application takes time and effort, and requires particular writing skills.
Bulletpoint are expert grant consultants and can assist with all aspects of grant preparation.
Call us on (03) 9005 6789 or email to discuss further.
We have significant experience in applying for grants. Typical areas where we can be of assistance include:
- Demonstrating the identified need;
- Highlighting the relevance to current government policies and priorities;
- Complete the Project Plan and Budget Projections;
- Identify Outcomes that are measurable;
- Detail the applicant organisation’s experience or expertise in undertaking the project/s;
- Calculating the value for money; and
- Demonstrating capacity to deliver quality outcomes
Additional Information
Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination – Guidelines
Aged Care Multidisciplinary Care Coordination – Application Form
