
A proactive approach to ageing and empowering our older people to live their lives with independence and value.
WQPHN commissions early intervention activities to support better health, wellness, and access to primary care, chronic disease management, and aged care services for older people across Western Queensland.
The program aims to support older people to live independently in their communities by:
Care finders provide essential support to vulnerable older people who are unable to arrange services on their own and do not have family members or friends to assist them. They focus on individuals who are eligible for aged care services but are not currently receiving them, ensuring these older people can access the care they need. Care finders also assist those without a carer or support person and to individuals from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people from marginalised backgrounds, and those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Care Finders can assist with:
To find a Care Finder in your region, follow the below link:
The Australian Government has provided funding to WQPHN to support residential aged care homes (RACHs) by supplying both equipment and training to facilitate telehealth consultations. This initiative aims to improve timely access to specialist and GP-led telehealth care for aged care residents, assist RACH staff with necessary training and technology, and promote coordinated, GP-led models of care.
The program primarily supports residential aged care homes by enabling virtual consultations with GPs and other health professionals, and it benefits residents by providing access to care when in person services are unavailable or unsuitable. Building on this work, WQPHN has expanded the initiative into community telehealth hubs, commissioning councils and community organizations to acquire all-in-one virtual care carts. These carts are designed for use by older people living outside aged care facilities, their carers and family members, and the broader community, including providing supported out-of-hours access where available.
Residential aged care providers can now engage an on-site pharmacist to offer expert advice and support in medication management and the quality use of medicines. This initiative directly addresses Recommendation 38 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which identified medication safety as a critical area for improvement. Residential aged care homes can partner with a participating community pharmacy of their choice, without any restrictions on location or proximity, or work with organisations that employ on-site pharmacists.
Primary Health Networks (PHNs) support this measure by identifying eligible pharmacists, raising awareness, and facilitating connections between pharmacists and aged care homes, though PHNs do not employ on-site pharmacists themselves.
On-site pharmacists provide a range of services, including supporting person-centred, informed medication decisions, collaborating with multidisciplinary care teams, applying evidence-based medication management, aiding transitions of care, conducting facility- wide quality use of medicines activities, and contributing to clinical governance and continuous quality improvement.
WQPHN partnered with Celebrate Ageing and Aged and Disability Advocates Australia to deliver the Old is Beautiful project in Winton, a flagship ageism reduction initiative promoting positive ageing narratives and community connection.
The project explored ageism and ways to challenge it, celebrated older people through storytelling and photography, and produced a community book showcasing participants and their messages. It also provided the opportunity for a workshop participant to present at the national Embolden Festival.
Australian Frailty Network undertook a regional road trip and conducted community consultation across South West and Central West Queensland, ensuring rural and remote older people and carers contribute to national frailty research and priorities supported by WQPHN.
Select a marker to see all of the available Commissioned Services in your community.
Lifeline : 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back : 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue : 1300 22 46 36
Select a marker to see all of the available Commissioned Services in your community.
Lifeline : 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back : 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue : 1300 22 46 36