Allied Health Services in Residential Aged Care Facilities - COVID19 Allied Health Package

Overview

The program was announced as part of the response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s special COVID-19 report. Funding is available from 10 February 2021 to 30 June 2022. The purpose of this grant opportunity is to increase access to allied health services for people living in residential aged care, with a particular focus on physical therapy. This will help residents restore function, and improve their health and wellbeing. Stream A of the grant opportunity will fund PHNs to provide a GP education package that raises awareness of the importance of allied health services for people with dementia and other residents with complex medical needs in RACFs, and to inform them of the new MBS items for chronic disease and mental health as part of the Aged Care COVID package. Stream B of the grant opportunity includes funding for 11 PHNs to commission physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and/or occupational therapists to provide group physical therapy to residents in RACFs affected by outbreaks of COVID-19. Part B of the grant will provide funding for: * An initial meeting between the allied health provider and a RACF to identify patients that would benefit from the program and to establish how the services will be delivered in that particular setting; * An initial one-on-one consultation between the allied health provider (physiotherapist, exercise physiologist and/or occupational therapist) and each patient to assess their functional mobility, care needs and suitability for the program; and * Twice-weekly allied health group sessions to improve function for up to 6 months.