BUPA to trial employing GPs across its aged care facilities
Bupa has commenced in six care facilities rolling out the employment of general practitioner doctors to provide ongoing, improved complex health care to its residents. Nine more facilities will join in within 12 months. The initiative is led by Bup...
Bupa has commenced in six care facilities rolling out the employment of general practitioner doctors to provide ongoing, improved complex health care to its residents. Nine more facilities will join in within 12 months.
The initiative is led by Bupa Care Services Australia Managing Director Louis Dudley. Bupa points out that one in four care residents is admitted to hospital each year but 30% of this could be avoided if a GP or other primary health carer was available to assess before the transfer. Research also indicates just 30% of care residents retain their GP when moved to care. Bupa is also introducing telehealth specialist consultations. GP consultations will be bulk billed through Medicare. One of the advantages over the traditional external visiting GP service is digital records which will be available (securely).
Bupa is having the model evaluated by University of Tasmanias Wicking Institute over three years so that other care providers can learn. Bupa has 61 care facilities with 5,600 residents.
