Local Health Networks

Queensland is divided into seven Primary Health Network (PHN) regions, each with its own PHN organisation responsible for coordinating and commissioning healthcare services that are important to their communities.

All of the Queensland PHNs play a role in the aged care sector by coordinating and facilitating healthcare services, including aged care, at the regional level.

Needs Assessment and Planning: Queensland PHNs conduct needs assessments to understand the healthcare and aged care needs of the local population within their respective regions. This assessment helps in identifying gaps and areas where aged care services are lacking.

Service Coordination: PHNs play a pivotal role in coordinating healthcare services, including aged care services. They work to ensure that aged care providers, community services, and healthcare organizations collaborate effectively to deliver integrated care to older individuals.

Funding Distribution: PHNs administer and distribute government funding to healthcare providers and organizations, including those involved in the aged care sector. They allocate resources to support services for older adults, ensuring that they reach those in need.

Quality Improvement: PHNs work to enhance the quality of aged care services by supporting providers in improving their standards and practices. They may offer training, resources, and guidance to ensure that care meets high-quality standards.

Advocacy and Collaboration: Queensland PHNs advocate for the needs of older adults and work with various stakeholders to drive policy changes and improvements in aged care. They collaborate with government bodies, aged care providers, and community organizations to create a supportive care environment.

Telehealth and Technology: PHNs are increasingly involved in the deployment of telehealth and healthcare technology solutions. This is especially relevant in the aged care sector, where technology can improve access to services and monitoring of older adults.

Integration of Services: Queensland PHNs promote the integration of services, ensuring that aged care is part of a broader healthcare system. They strive to create a seamless healthcare journey for older adults, where services are well-coordinated and aligned with their needs.

Crisis Response: During health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, PHNs play a critical role in coordinating the response of healthcare services, including aged care facilities. They provide guidance, resources, and support to address the specific challenges faced by the aged care sector in such situations.

Health Promotion and Education: PHNs conduct health promotion and education initiatives aimed at older adults. They provide information about healthy ageing, preventive care, and available services to empower older individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Data Collection and Analysis: PHNs collect data on healthcare and aged care utilization and outcomes. This data is used to inform decision-making, identify trends, and drive improvements in the aged care sector.

 

A review of each PHNs website yielded the following programs and activities relating to the aged care sector/older people

  • Servicing the northern suburbs of Brisbane (Indooroopilly to Redcliffe, and north to Kilcoy). The programs relating to the aged care sector in this PHN are:

    Commonwealth Home Support Program “Healthy@Home”

    Your Care Navigator – Health ageing service navigation

    Collaboratives – Allied Health, Community Palliative Care, and Residential Aged Care

    Team Care Coordination – health education and coordination

    Regional Assessment Service (RAS)

    Support for residential aged care

    Chronic wound care

    Palliative care

    Care finder program

  • Covering the southern suburbs of Brisbane (Wynnum to Inala and Beenleigh, and south to Rathdowney. It also includes North Stradbroke Island). The programs relating to the aged care sector in this PHN are:

    Older People’s Health and Wellness Strategy

    Frailty Care Coordination Service

    Healthy Ageing and Frailty

    Aged Care Workforce Strategy

    Supporting older family carers

    Care Finders Supplementary Needs Assessment

    Yellow envelopes (communication tool used in clinical handover when residents of aged care facilities are transferred to and from hospital)

    Care finder service

    Aged Care Navigator Trials

    Healthy Ageing Hubs pilot

    Yellow Envelopes

    End-of-life care in residential aged care facilities

    Improving patient experience “What Matters to Bill and Betty – Frail Older Person Project”

  • Serving from Stanthorpe and Texas to Ipswich, Proston and Taroom. The programs relating to the aged care sector in this PHN are:

    The Older Persons' Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2021 – 2026) has been jointly developed by PHN and West Moreton Health.

    West Moreton Health in partnership with the PHN have developed a comprehensive care guide to assist nurses and personal care staff working in West Moreton residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

    resources to assist people living with dementia or for family, friends, and carers of people living with dementia.

    Care finder

    Service support – Palliative care, mental health, After hours care (AGES)

  • Covering from Springsure and Rubyvale to Yeppoon and south to Caloundra. The programs relating to the aged care sector in this PHN are:

    “Ageing well in our region: A healthy region strategy 2022-2027”

    Capacity tracker – data collection of healthcare trends and resource shortages

    Clinical handover – Yellow envelope

    Mental health

    Support advanced care planning

    Falls prevention – “Lifestyle Café”, Active at home program, community nurse in-home falls assessment

    Improving GP access

    Moving moments – connecting seniors to children

  • Servicing from Coolangatta to Jacobs Well and west to Canungra. Aged care is one of the five priority areas for this region. The programs relating to the aged care sector in this PHN are:

    Early intervention services supporting chronic disease management.

    Assistance to RACHs to have appropriate facilities for telehealth access to primary health care providers.

    Encourage RACHs to have appropriate after-hours care plans in place.

    Development of pathways to increase access and awareness of dementia services.

    Care Finders to assist older Australians to understand and access aged care services and supports within the community.

  • Serving from Dysart to Thursday Island at the top of the Cape, and Croydon to Richmond in the west. The programs relating to the aged care sector in this PHN are:

    Care Finder program

    Telehealth in RACFs

    RACF out-of-hours plans

    Dementia Health Pathways and Consumer Resource

  • Serving from Thallon to Kowanyama, and along the New South Wales, South Australia and Northern Territory borders. The programs relating to the aged care sector in this PHN are:

    Greater Choice for At-Home Palliative Care (GCfAHPC)