The Australian Government has announced a $31.2 million investment to develop a virtual nursing framework aimed at supporting aged care providers.
The initiative will be trialled in up to 30 residential aged care homes, with a focus on rural and remote communities, as well as facilities supporting First Nations elders and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The project, running from March 2025 to 30 June 2027, will be developed and tested by Amplar Home Health Pty Ltd. It aims to assess how virtual nursing services can supplement existing aged care practices, ensuring that older people receive consistent care when needed.
Exploring Virtual Nursing in Aged Care
While virtual nursing is not intended to replace face-to-face care, the trial will examine its potential to enhance support for residential aged care homes and their staff. The aim is to provide access to additional clinical expertise to improve care delivery.
Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, highlighted the government’s focus on workforce support and innovation.
“The Albanese Government is committed to building and strengthening a valued, supported and skilled aged care workforce to meet the needs of older people,” Minister Wells said.
“Under the Albanese Government, there is now a registered nurse onsite in aged care homes 99% of the time, and our requirement for 24/7 nursing is not changing.”
Assessing the Impact
The government has included virtual nursing within its broader Professional Framework for the aged care workforce, which prioritises innovation among other goals.
“Last year, the government released a Professional Framework to support the aged care workforce, and encouraging innovation is one of the eight goals we are prioritising,” Minister Wells stated.
“This investment demonstrates how we are pursuing innovation in aged care for the benefit of older people and to support the workforce in thin markets.”
The project will be evaluated by La Trobe University, assessing its impact on clinical outcomes, workforce sustainability, and service delivery. The findings will inform future decisions on integrating virtual nursing into aged care settings.
Another snow job
Who has skilled the residents to use the digital technology required for this
Is their a human on hand to assist the resident?
How is client confidentiality mainland guaranteed ?
If it’s the same as the telehealth process, a multimedia cart is brought to the resident’s room, and it’s all done by a staff member and confidential is maintained by staff.
This is a bandaid measure. The minister would be better advised to contemplate why the market is ” thin”…The culture in the health industry festers with unsustainable workforce pressures at all levels. Workers at the bedside need more workers at the bedside. Spend the money on providing sustainable long-term interventions like staff recruitment , training and support. More skilled staff at the be side will enhance care.Nurture the culture of health to retain and care for its people.