The Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking 30 residential aged care homes to test its Virtual Nursing in Aged Care Project from November 2024 to June 2027.

The tender notice has been posted on the Government's ausTENDER website, and will reportedly be targeted at homes struggling to meet 24-hour RN staffing requirements.

Many regional aged care providers have experienced significant challenges meeting mandatory 24/7 RN and care minute targets, which will increase to 44 minutes of care per resident per day from 1 October 2024 from the current 40. Providers are already closing beds and spending millions of dollars on agency staff to meet existing targets.

Under the $30 million contract, the Department will require one or more aged care providers to deliver safe, high-quality care through telehealth consultations, either by a nurse practitioner or registered nurse on site or from a remote location.

The successful suppliers will also be responsible for providing training to staff taking part, ensuring they have the technology available, and ensuring the telehealth is incorporated into existing policies and processes. Residents and their families also need to be informed the Project is being conducted.

The Weekly SOURCE approached the Department of Health and Aged Care for comment but at the time of publishing had not received a response.