Primary Health Networks have received funding to support the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission). 

In response to the Royal Commission, SEMPHN is funded to address critical issues faced by senior Australians in the Primary Health Care and the Aged Care systems:

- Lack of access to GPs and allied health professionals in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs).

- Difficulty accessing after-hours services.

- Inappropriate transfers to hospitals, contributing to poor outcomes.

COVID Vaccination Support for Residents in RACHs

SEMPHN supports 152 RACHs and their residents when they need help accessing a Primary Care Provider to conduct COVID vaccinations. We help by ensuring that residents are vaccinated in line with current COVID Vaccination guidelines and eligibility. If accessing the COVID vaccine is a barrier to increasing vaccine uptake at your RACH, SEMPHN can assist you by organising a GP to vaccinate your residents. Please email agedcare@semphn.org.au to receive vaccination support.

Current Aged Care Programs (Dec 2021 - June 2025)

SEMPHN is committed to our major programs, including telehealth care, after-hours support, and early intervention initiatives.

We support RACHs to:

• Increase the availability and use of telehealth care for aged care residents
• Develop comprehensive after-hours  arrangement and action plans to help residents access urgent assessment and triage services and prevent avoidable hospital presentations.
• Maintain COVID vaccination levels to ensure resident safety during the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Please email agedcare@semphn.org.au to receive vaccination assistance.

Commissioning Early Intervention Initiatives

Focusing on healthy ageing, chronic condition management, and reducing barriers at the interface of aged care and primary health care systems, these initiatives include:

Dementia Pathways

• Resources for people with recent dementia diagnoses, caregivers, and health professionals. A list of helplines is available to assist people needing support to call the right organisation.

Aged Care Clinical Referral Pathways

• Support for health professionals in connecting older individuals to local health, support, and aged care services in the Alfred Health, Monash Health and Peninsula Health Local Hospital Networks.

Care Finder - Connecting Communities

• Establishing a network of care finders in the South Eastern Melbourne Region to provide intensive assistance, ensuring vulnerable or isolated senior Australians understand, access and connect with aged care, primary health and social supports in the community. 

Dementia Rehabilitation

• Tailored in-home rehabilitation for people (65+) living with dementia in the Mornington Peninsula Shire and the City of Casey. Delivered by Encara, our program focuses on improving independence and wellbeing. Led by a team of Allied Health Professionals, the program combines therapeutic interventions, education, and personalised care, integrating allied health with aromatherapy, art therapy and music therapy.

Stay Informed

To receive updates on our open tenders, we encourage you to register to our tender platform eProcure, and SEMaphore, our commissioning newsletter. 

 We have a team dedicated to the rollout of these programs, please contact us by emailing us at agedcare@semphn.org.au or call 1300 331 981. 

 More information can be found here: https://www.agedcareengagement.health.gov.au/