Older people in aged care homes across western Victoria are set to benefit from a new health project trial aimed at reducing avoidable hospital visits and improving access to specialist care.
The $9 million DELIVER project is funded through the Medical Research Future Fund and is being trialled in participating aged care homes across the Grampians region.
The Residential In-Reach service links residents to a team of nurse practitioners, nurse consultants and geriatricians via telehealth. The team specialises in the health of older people and provides care in the residents’ familiar surroundings, reducing the stress and disruption of travelling to clinics or hospitals.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said the project would help researchers and health services better understand how to improve care in regional areas. “Older Australians in rural, regional and remote areas face unique challenges accessing health care services,” Mr Butler said. “This project will help us learn more about, and plan for, new models of health and aged care in rural Australia where there are often additional challenges to accessing care and support.”
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the project would provide valuable local data. “Regional and rural aged care has different challenges and opportunities to aged care in the major cities,” she said. “Local evidence will help create better care – ultimately improving the health of older Australians living in rural and regional communities.”
The trial began in April 2025 and will run until June 2026. Researchers from Deakin University, Monash University and the Western Alliance Academic Health Service Centre will assess the effectiveness of the program, along with the experiences of patients and providers, to inform future aged care projects.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the Grampians Local Health Service Network.
This article is based on a media release from the office of Member for Ballarat, Catherine King.
