An initial networking session at a NSW Health innovation symposium during 2015 lead to a collaboration project between NSW Ambulance, North Sydney LHD and not-for-profit sector residential aged care group.
During December 2015 the three organisations collaborated to connect the health journey of residents across the community, pre-hospital and hospital settings. Innovative solutions were developed through engagement and consultation with staff, residents, families, general practitioners and the local primary health network.
The PAC4RAC vision was to ensure residents received the right care, at the right time, from the right people, through systematic and integrated processes that provide a positive experience for the residents and staff involved, and reducing the emotional, physical and financial costs to patients and the broader health system.
Applying the NSW Health Clinical Redesign Methodology provided robust project governance and innovative solutions which, since implementation, has resulted in a reduction of calls from the pilot residential aged care facilities to NSW Ambulance.
The PAC4RAC project has demonstrated that collaboration and integrated care processes lead to improved outcomes for aged care residents through hospital avoidance, also reducing demand on NSW Ambulance and the LHD emergency department.