Accolades come thick and fast for rapid access elderly care

People are taking notice of the Rapid Access to Community Care (RACC) service which is transforming care for chronically-ill elderly patients.

The accolades and acknowledgement of the important work being delivered by the Rapid Access to Community Care (RACC) service keep coming thick and fast.

The RACC team were highly commended in the Queensland Health Awards for Excellence Strengthening our Patients’ Care category for delivering an innovative service which more than 1,250 elderly people, most aged over 80, have been referred to since it started. Community and Oral Health Director of Innovation and Research Mary Wheeldon said this was a very exciting acknowledgement of the importance of the community-based service. “The concept for Rapid Access to Community Care (RACC) developed when it was identified that older people were being sent to Emergency Departments when they needed access to community-based health care and support,” Mary said. “We knew that if we could establish a multidisciplinary responsive service and partner with General Practitioners and Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) we could make a difference. “Over the last 18 months the team has learnt more about the needs of this patient group and adapted RACC to best respond to them. “RACC today is a responsive and effective alternative option to hospital presentation and has made a difference to the lives of those who have been referred to the service. “This is a great achievement and one we are very proud of.” The RACC service, which is delivered by Metro North Health, assesses patients in their home so referrals to community or home support can be fast tracked. RACC Clinical Nurse Consultant Elly Thompson said that following a referral from a General Practitioner or the QAS an assessment is provided via a clinician in the patient’s own home or via telehealth. “This assessment is within three business days of referral, and the RACC team will provide a comprehensive assessment of health, functional capabilities and the ongoing support needs of the patient,” Elly said. “This information is communicated back to the client’s GP to ensure continuity of care.” As part of the service, patients can be referred to and access services delivered through Metro North Health Community and Oral Health, Brisbane North PHN Team Care Coordination or other non-Government Organisations. These supports could include allied health and geriatrician interactions, and liaison with current non-government providers and ACAT. “The RACC service is making a real difference to people’s lives by helping people access community-based health care services and home support services,” Elly said. “RACC is delivered five days a week across the Metro North Health catchment.” So far, hundreds of GP practices in Brisbane North and the Moreton Bay regions have engaged with the service. The majority of patients so far are rapidly accessing community-based services such as the Post Acute Care Service, Complex Chronic Disease Team or PHN Brisbane North Team Care Coordination as well as their existing non-government providers. Further detail about the service can be found at Rapid Access to Community Care.