Fresh off the back of its latest partnership with SA Health to support hospital patients in hotel accommodation, the innovative Medibank-owned platform has been given the green light to develop and test a virtual nursing service for 30 aged care homes across Australia.
The trial is expected to run from this month until June 2027, focusing on rural and remote areas and aged care homes supporting older people from First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Amplar Health CEO
La Trobe University will assess the impact of virtual care by looking at clinical outcomes, workforce capacity, and long-term sustainability of aged care services.
Under the program, virtual nursing will be used to support on-site staff and to ensure residents can access personalised clinical care.
Amplar Health will be recruiting more Registered Nurses (RNs) to roll out the program.
"This trial will showcase how virtual care services can complement and enhance care delivery," said Amplar Health Chief Executive Robert Read.
“Our virtual nursing team will act as an extension to on-ground care teams. They will participate in routine care, consult with families and provide specialist support in areas such as wound care, dementia and more."
Senate Estimates heard last November the aged care sector is estimated to be short 1,490 registered nurses (RNs) in 2024-25, with the greatest shortages in regional and rural areas.
In The SOURCE's SATURDAY digital magazine, Amplar's plans to expand its My Home Hospital program, the only stand-alone, accredited home hospital in Australia, were revealed. The program provides care for patients at home in virtual ‘hospital wards’, including for aged care residents in partnership with SA Health.
Browse residential care homes and home care services on listings website agedcare101
