Virtual Care Grant

Request For Proposal

Background

COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN is supporting the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Report (2021). The Royal Commission examined the complex issues faced by senior Australians at the junction of the primary and aged health care systems, in particular the lack of access to general practitioners in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs), difficulties accessing after-hours care, and inappropriate transfer of residents to hospital. All these issues are implicated in poor health outcomes for senior Australians, and places increased pressure on RACFs and more widely, the health care system.

Increasing availability and use of virtual care for aged care residents is a critical component to developing integrated models of care and subsequently improving their health and wellbeing outcomes.

Promoting interoperability and/or accessibility for healthcare providers to interact with aged care facilities, such as general practices, pharmacies, Local Health Districts and specialists; and integrating key national digital health infrastructure - such as the My Health Record, electronic National Residential Medication Charts, electronic shared care planning, Secure Messaging technologies and Provider Connect Australia into models of care - will facilitate greater innovation in the sector and a better coordinated health system for older people. Health care will be provided to older people more efficiently, addressing health concerns early and potentially avoiding preventable hospital admissions.

Grant details 

COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN invites grant applications from partners in primary care to identify and address specific challenges that Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) face in accessing primary and specialist care. The purpose of the Aged Care Virtual Care Grants program is to leverage technology and virtual care infrastructure to improve the integration and connectivity of RACH with their external care providers, including General Practitioners (GPs) and specialists.

A total budget of up to $100,000 (ex GST) is available for distribution across eligible providers in the South Eastern NSW region. It is envisioned that 1-3 successful applicants will be awarded a grant, with individual grant amounts dependent on the scope and complexity of the projects proposed.

Important note: This funding is not recurrent. Providers will be expected to achieve the following milestones:

• Purchase relevant equipment and infrastructure by no later than 30 June 2025.
• The contract end date for all awarded grants will be 30 June 2026.

Important documents

• RFP Grant Guidelines - RACH Virtual Care Demonstrator
• Attachment 1: Grant application form
• Attachment 2: Budget template

Timeline 

*Please send a request to attend the Industry Briefing and Q&A session to COORDINARE's Business Team via commissioning@coordinare.org.au

How to apply

Applications close at 5pm AEDT Monday 10 February 2025.

To apply complete the following:

• Attachment 1 - Grant application form (via Microsoft Word document - e-signature allowed)
• All compliance documents as outlined in the application form
• Attachment 2: Budget template

Email the completed documents to commissioning@coordinare.org.au