Supporting residential and aged care patients in
Western Australia 

Supporting residential and aged care patients in
Western Australia 

The RACGP > Faculties > RACGP Western Australia > Supporting residential and aged care patients in Western Australia

Toolkit for GPs working in RACFs

The tools and resources on this website aim to help GPs support and improve the care of patients in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Western Australia.

The online toolkit is designed to provide local GPs working in aged care with relevant and practical information and resources on a range of clinical topics, listed below.

The toolkit includes nine online modules with downloadable resources and links to various tools, referral pathways and specialist services, and importantly, provides guidance for GPs to navigate Medicare Benefits Schedule item numbers for different consults. You can complete all nine modules or select the modules that are relevant to you. Each hour spent reading the toolkit can be self-recorded for CPD via MyCPD.

Module 1: Introduction to palliative care

  • Defining palliative and end-of-life care
  • Clinical context
  • Who needs palliative care?
  • Palliative care in general practice
  • The palliative care needs of Aboriginal People in WA
  • Voluntary assisted dying

View module 1 

Module 2: In practice

  • Anticipating patient needs
  • Advance care planning
  • Person-centered care
  • People from diverse backgrounds
  • Clinical care plans
  • Symptom control
  • Medication management in palliative care
  • Bereavement support

View module 2 

Module 3: Referral pathways to specialist palliative care

  • The role of specialist palliative care services
  • Referral criteria and triggers
  • Appropriate services available

View module 3 

Module 4: Medicare

  • Consults
  • Care plans
  • Comprehensive medical assessment
  • Case conferences
  • Residential medication management review
  • After-hours attendances
  • PIP incentive for Aged Care
  • MyMedicare

View module 4 

Module 5: Engaging with RACFs

  • The residential aged care facility
  • Medical records in aged care
  • After hours services in RACF
  • The care team
  • My Health Record in RACFs

View module 5 

Module 6: Professional development

  • RACGP online modules
  • RACGP webinars
  • Other education resources

View module 6 

Module 7: Clinical tools

View module 7 

Module 8: Guidelines and resources

  • Guidelines
  • Standards
  • WA End-of-Life and Palliative Care Strategy 2018-2028
  • WA palliative care resources
  • Resources for patients, carers and families

View module 8 

Module 9: Getting started and support for GPs working in RACFs

  • GP business models in RACFs
  • Getting started working in RACFs
  • Connecting with colleagues
  • GP stories
  • GP training, supervision and teaching

View module 9 

At the end of each module, you can self-record the CPD hours using the quick-log option. If you spend additional time reading resources or reflecting on your practice, you can self-record any additional activities.

Self record via Quick Log

 record cpd 

Links to other important resources

RACGP aged care clinical guide

More 

Guide to WA specialist palliative care services

More 

CareSearchgp App

More 

End of life and Palliative Care Education and Training for WA

More 

Enquiries

For toolkit enquires please email wa.RACFproject@racgp.org.au

Further support

Further support
For further support on end-of-life and palliative care in WA, contact the End of Life Care Program, Western Australian Department of Health via End-of-Life Care Program

Acknowledgements, Supporters and Partners

The RACGP WA GPs in Residential Aged Care Facilities toolkit was funded by the WA Department of Health.