Improving the health and wellbeing of our ageing population is one of our key priority areas. Our aim is to support and coordinate services for older people living in the community and those living in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs).
Key Areas and Current Programs
As part of the Western Sydney Integrated Senior’s Health (WISH) committee, we are working in partnership with the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) to reduce health gaps within the aged care space. To achieve this, we are currently focussing on the following priority areas:
- Identifying at-risk older persons in the region
- Improving management of dementia, including patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
- Supporting GPs to identify at-risk older persons
- Improving medication use in the community and RACHs
- Reducing preventable hospitalisations
- Improving integrated care
- Increase GPs capacity and capability to support end of life planning
- Address appropriately skilled workforce shortage issues
- Support improved integration and coordination of palliative care and end of life planning services and health care
General Practice in Aged Care Incentive
The General Practice in Aged Care Incentive supports GPs and their practices to deliver more proactive, planned and coordinated care for residents in aged care homes. For further information, including eligibility and service details, visit the MyMedicare and General Practice in Aged Care Incentive webpage.
Western Sydney Dementia Handbook
Informed by the work undertaken by the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network and Dementia Australia, we have developed a Western Sydney Dementia Handbook, to assist you and your loved ones in accessing the support you need from the time of diagnosis and beyond. you and your loved ones in accessing the support you need from the time of diagnosis and beyond.
Dementia
In 2026 there are an estimated 446,500 Australians living with dementia. Without a significant intervention, the number of Australians living with dementia is expected to increase to more than 1 million by 2065.
The Dementia Care Navigator Program is designed to support people living with dementia, as well as their families and carers, to effectively navigate the health and aged care systems. The program helps connect individuals with services tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
For further information, view the brochure or please contact Irene Robinson from Dementia Australia at Irene.Robinson@dementia.org.au
Support for Residents of Aged Care Homes
Anglicare’s Emotional Wellbeing for Older Persons (EWOP) program that supports older people residing in residential aged care homes with low to moderate mental health needs. There is a clinical intake service and psychological interventions available, ranging from psychoeducation and leisure activities to more structured psychological therapy sessions.
The EWOP program also provides free education and training for residential aged care staff to help foster emotionally aware environments for residents, visitors and workers.
To refer a resident, please complete the EWOP program referral form. For more information, please contact Anglicare at wsphnmhracs@anglicare.org.au
Falls Prevention
Falls among older people continue to be a public health concern, and injuries from falls can lead to functional decline. Older Australians are at an increased risk of falls, which increases the risk of osteoporosis, and bone and joint pain. Consultations with ambulance services in our region have highlighted falls among older people as a major issue. Falls were the leading cause of injury hospitalisations in 2023–24 and was estimated to have cost the health system over $5 billion*
The Still Standing Program, delivered by New Edge Performance, is a, falls prevention service for older adults at increased risk of falls. Led by Accredited Exercise Physiologists, the program includes an initial assessment, an individualised home exercise plan, and a structured 12-week group intervention focusing on progressive strength, balance, and functional mobility, alongside targeted education. Designed for community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years (≥50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) who are medically stable, the program aims to reduce falls risk, improve physical function, and support ongoing independence, with referrals accepted from all health care providers.
To find out more visit the website.
Advanced Care Planning
Advance Care Planning (ACP) supports clinicians to ensure that future health care decisions align with a patient’s values, preferences, and goals of care. It provides a structured process to identify and document patient wishes, including preferred management in the event of clinical deterioration or loss of decision-making capacity. ACP facilitates proactive discussions around sensitive and often complex issues, which are frequently deferred in routine care, and promotes shared understanding between patients, families, carers, and treating practitioners, including GPs.
Mobile Imaging Services
Free mobile imaging services are available to Western Sydney residents thanks to a partnership with Mobile Radiology Australia (MRA). MRA aims to reduce the number of patients presenting to hospitals by offering mobile diagnostic services available from the comfort of their own homes.
MRA offers x-ray and ultrasound imaging, reading and reporting services and can receive referrals from local GPs, PCMHs, RACHs and Hospital in the Home (HITH) services. To refer a patient, please visit the website.
Western Sydney HealthPathways
Western Sydney health professionals can access Older Person’s Health on the Western Sydney HealthPathways website.
For assistance with access or general enquiries email healthpathways@wentwest.com.au or call 8811 7100.
Healthy Western Sydney
Healthy Western Sydney is a free service directory for community members and health professionals in Western Sydney offering information on palliative care, aged care and dementia services in Western Sydney.
Visit Healthy Western Sydney to access free health services.
Care Finder
There are many aged care services available to older Australians, however it may be difficult for some people to access the right services. Intensive care can be accessed by older people who are a part of the vulnerable population, such as those experiencing disability or who are at risk of homelessness.
The Care Finder program is a free service that provides specialist support for older people living in a vulnerable situation. Through Care Finder, clients will have their needs assessed and be connected with a care finder who can assist them in engaging with appropriate aged care and community services.
Find out more on our Care Finder webpage.
Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist
Medication management and safety are essential areas of quality care in residential aged care homes. The Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP) initiative provides on-site pharmacists to support residents, care teams and multidisciplinary health professionals in improving medicine use, reducing medication-related harm and supporting clinical governance. Residential aged care homes can work with participating community pharmacies or businesses employing on-site pharmacists, with the WentWest Healthy Ageing Team available to assist where needed.
Find out more on our Aged Care On-Site Pharmacist (ACOP) webpage
Digital Health in Aged Care
Digital health tools are helping to improve information sharing, clinical decision-making and resident outcomes. These government-supported systems align with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and support staff to deliver safer, better-connected and higher-quality care.
We are supporting Residential Aged Care health professionals to strengthen their use of digital health solutions, with a focus on My Health Record and telehealth platforms such as healthdirect Video Call, to enhance care coordination, medication safety and transitions of care.
My Health Record: Key Benefits
- Supports personalised, high-quality care aligned with the Strengthened Standards
- Provides access to up-to-date clinical information (e.g. discharge summaries, immunisation records, shared health summaries)
- Improves care coordination for residents and their carers
Find out more on our Digital Health webpage.
Healthdirect Video Call
A secure, government-funded telehealth platform that supports timely, resident-centred care and continuous quality improvement.
- Free and designed for health care use
- Enables case conferences with RNs, GPs, specialists, allied health and families
- Browser based, easy to use, with secure file sharing
To get started watch a short video here.
Fill out the Video Call Registration form here.
For support, reach out to the healthdirect team at 1800 580 771 or email videocallsupport@healthdirect.org.au
1800MEDICARE App
A secure mobile app from the Australian Digital Health Agency that allows residents and their representatives to access key information in My Health Record. Encouraging use of the app helps people stay informed, supports self-management, and improves care coordination.
Learn more via the Australian Digital Health Agency website.
Stay Connected
Residential Aged Care Homes Community of Practice Webinar Series 2026
Join our monthly webinars (third Thursday of each month) designed for aged care professionals to share updates, education, and practical insights.
What to expect:
- Updates from the Public Health Unit, inTouch, Hospital in the Home, and WSLHD Emergency Management
- Guest presentations on topics relevant to aged care
- New in 2026: RACHs Continuous Improvement Showcase—share initiatives, challenges, and learn from peers
Time: 11:00am – 12:15pm
Dates:
- 21 May
- 18 June
- 16 July
- 20 August
- 17 September
- 15 October
- 19 November
Join the webinar: Save the teams link here.
Contact: racfsupport@wentwest.com.au to receive invitations
Other Resources
Contact Us
We are here to support residential aged care health professionals in Western Sydney. If you have any questions or want to collaborate, contact our Healthy Ageing Team:
Email: racfsupport@wentwest.com.au
Phone: (02) 8811 7100
Progressing Health Now
Find out more about other Programs and Priorities for Western Sydney.
