More residential aged care residents in Western Sydney can now access an IT-enabled urgent care service by the New South Wales government following its expansion.

The inTouch urgent care service provides patients with less urgent conditions with access to comprehensive health assessment via video conferencing and direct support from GPs and aged care staff. 

Its expansion in Western Sydney will support 65 residential aged care facilities. It will also increase referrals for aged care residents, the NSW Ambulance, and GPs, as well as improve systems for assessment, care protocols, and clinical documentation.

WHY IT MATTERS

Aside from providing a better experience for aged care residents, their families, and care teams, the inTouch care model, according to NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park, is expected to help around 120 aged care residents every month receive care at home and avoid going to the hospital emergency department.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

The Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) first introduced the inTouch service in 2021 to provide at-home care for over 45,000 COVID-19 patients. It was later expanded to support residential aged care facilities in April last year.

Its expansion across NSW is part of the state government's A$124 million ($83 million) programme to deliver 25 urgent care services. 

ON THE RECORD

"Many people who visit our emergency departments could receive more timely and better-tailored care in a community setting, such as a GP clinic, but that care has become increasingly difficult to access. By ensuring older Western Sydney residents get the high-quality care they need for less urgent conditions, the model frees up NSW Ambulance paramedics and our busy emergency department staff to focus on those in need of emergency care," Graeme Loy, WSLHD chief executive, commented.