The expansion was announced by the NSW Government and is designed to help ease pressure on Western Sydney’s busy emergency departments by providing additional support to 65 Residential Aged Care Facilities in western Sydney.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said the expanded InTouch Urgent Care Service would allow more residential aged care patients in the West to access care in the right place, at the right time, at no cost to the patient.
“The InTouch model means around 120 aged care residents every month can avoid having to go to a hospital emergency department and can instead get the care they need at home.”
“The inTouch model allows a comprehensive assessment of the patient, using video conferencing technology to link patients with their GP, family and aged care staff.
“It also offers direct access to specialists, diagnostics, and clinicians to work through the best care plan.”
Expansion of the service will boost the number of doctors, nursing and administrative staff and provide:
• Increased referrals for patient from aged care facilities, NSW Ambulance and general practice
• More virtual health care consultations
• Improved systems for assessment, care protocols and clinical documentation to streamline care.
Chief Executive of WSLHD Graeme Loy said the expansion of the inTouch Urgent Care Service would provide a better experience for Western Sydney’s aged care residents, their family and staff.
“Urgent care services are intended to support people with urgent health care needs in appropriate settings outside of emergency departments,” he said.
“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 residents get the high-quality care they need for less urgent conditions, the model frees up NSW Ambulance paramedics and our busy ED staff to focus on those in need of emergency care,” he said.
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said allowing residents the opportunity to receive care from the comfort of home and alleviating the need to head into hospital was “wonderful outcome for our local community,"
inTouch was founded in 2021 by WSLHD to support at-home care for more than 45,000 COVID-19 patients and started the clinical coordination of RACF residents in April 2022.
The inTouch Urgent Care Service is being expanded as part of the NSW Government’s $124M program over two years to deliver 25 Urgent Care Services.
