Approximately 224,000 people, or 14 per cent of people in our region are aged 65 years and over. This number is predicted to increase a further 43% to 320,000 by 2031. To support the health needs of our older people, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN are providing a number of programs and initiatives focused on improving access to high quality primary healthcare. 

The CESPHN Aged Care Advisory Committee has been formed to work in partnership with CESPHN with the aim of improving aged care services for older people in the CESPHN region. The Committee will examine opportunities for improvement in aged care services with a view to developing these opportunities into a series of activities and initiatives to advance aged care services within the CESPHN region.

The CESPHN Aged Care Advisory Committee will work in partnership with CESPHN to:

• Provide strategic direction and leadership on issues related to the delivery of aged care services in the CESPHN region.
• Assist planning and development of primary care aged care services with particular emphasis on gaps in local service provision and improving access to aged care services for diverse and vulnerable populations.
• Improve access to primary care practitioners for residents in aged care facilities and improve linkages between general practice and aged care settings.
• Assist general practice and other aged care service providers build capacity through collaboration, exploration, and implementation of new and best practice models of care.
• Identify and advise relevant training for general practice and aged care service providers.
• Provide advice relating to the implementation and promotion of the government’s aged care reforms, including advising implementation of Aged Care Royal Commission recommendations.
• Discuss key policy changes or developments impacting aged care service delivery and reporting important aged care issues back to government.
• Provide advice on the provision of information and promotional materials to general practice relating to the integration and use of government funded care aged care services.
• Assist build strong primary care networks capable of assisting responding to emerging and urgent primary care needs for older people.