Tasmanian GPs are calling for a new trial aimed at keeping aged care residents out of hospital by improving how medical decisions are made during emergencies.
General Practice Training Tasmania (GPTT) has proposed piloting an emergency care planning program in a small Tasmanian community, allowing GPs to work with aged care residents and their families to document clear preferences for treatment when a health incident occurs.
GPTT chief executive officer Dr Gintia Oberoi said residential aged care services often struggle to access a resident’s regular GP at short notice, particularly after hours or during acute incidents.
“When a resident has an urgent medical issue and their GP is not available, facilities can feel they have little choice but to send them to the emergency department,” Dr Oberoi said. “In many cases, that may not reflect what the resident would have wanted, especially when the aged care home is their home.”
The proposed trial would involve funding GPs for the time required to have in-depth conversations with residents and their families, resulting in a documented emergency or advanced care plan. These plans would then guide nurses and support workers when deciding whether a resident should be treated on site or transferred to hospital.
Dr Oberoi said this approach could significantly reduce unnecessary hospital presentations, while also respecting residents’ wishes and reducing stress for families and staff.
“For example, if a resident experiences a fall, the plan could clarify whether hospital transfer is appropriate or whether care can safely be provided within the facility,” she said.
The proposal comes amid ongoing pressure on hospital emergency departments and concerns about avoidable transfers from aged care, which can be distressing for older people and increase the risk of complications such as delirium.
Federal Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Rebecca White said GPs already have access to several funding mechanisms to support residents living in aged care homes. This includes Medicare rebates for consultations delivered in facilities, as well as broader funding provided to primary health networks to improve access to primary care.
She also pointed to the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive, introduced in 2024, which provides additional funding to support ongoing GP involvement for people who permanently live in residential aged care.
Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer described GPTT’s proposal as innovative, noting the wider challenges facing the state’s health system.
In October 2025, 77 patients across Tasmania were medically ready to leave hospital but remained admitted while waiting for a place in residential aged care, highlighting ongoing capacity pressures.
Advocates argue that clearer emergency care planning within aged care could help ease hospital demand while ensuring older Australians receive care that aligns with their values and preferences, without being unnecessarily removed from familiar surroundings.
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No “d” in “advanced care plan”; Advance Care Plan