Acute care for residents, in their home environment.
What is Residential in Reach?
Residential In-Reach (RIR) is a free service that brings expert healthcare directly to people living in aged care homes. We work with your General Practitioner (GP) to quickly assess, treat, and care for you without needing to go to the hospital. Our goal is to provide high-quality, timely care so you can stay well and comfortable in your home.
What we do:
- Health Assessments: If you're unwell, we assess your health to understand your needs and provide the right care.
- Work with Healthcare Providers: We collaborate closely with your GP and other specialists to help diagnose and treat health concerns.
- Treatment and Care: When needed, we start and oversee treatment to address any health issues.
- Telehealth Appointments: If you're in the Grampians region, we offer online consultations to give expert advice and care without needing to travel.
- Referrals for Specialised Care: If necessary, we help connect you to specialists for further care.
- Support for Staff: We support aged care staff with education to ensure you get the best possible care.
We work together with your GP to make sure you get prompt, efficient care and also offer ongoing support to aged care staff to help them deliver the highest standard of care.
Who is in the Team?
The team includes Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Consultants, and Geriatricians who specialise in the health of older people.
Why refer to Residential in Reach?
Residential In Reach focuses on enhancing the care and well-being of residents in their own home by:
- Ensuring residents receive personalised, appropriate care that aligns with their preferences and needs
- Providing support and guidance to residential aged care staff to improve care delivery
- Reducing avoidable hospital admissions and Emergency Department visits
- Facilitating early discharge from hospitals, allowing residents to return to the comfort and familiarity of their home environment
What we offer
Residential In Reach provides comprehensive assessment and the initiation of treatment for acutely unwell residents, which may include:
- Support during clinical deterioration and implementation of care
- Staff education and guidance to enhance care delivery
- Prescription of medications and /or fluids
- Bladder and catheter care
- Wound care advice and management
- Falls risk assessment and management
- Dementia care and support
- Assistance with facilitating early discharge back to the resident’s home
Who can refer:
- Aged Care Home RN/EN, in consultation with lead nurse
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED)
- Health service clinicians
How to refer:
External referrals: Please download the RIR referral form (found on this page) and send it via secure email to: RIRreferrals@gh.org.au
Internal referrals: Submit via e-referral on Opal
Referral Timing Guidelines:
- Urgent (Same Day): Call RIR per below and submit the referral form
- Within 1-3 Days: Submit the referral form
- Within 7 Days: Submit the referral form
Contact our team:
Monday - Sunday (7 days/week)
7.30am - 4.00pm: 0478 305 011
11.00am - 7.30pm: 0417 799 135
Office contact number: 03 5320 4748
Referral Form
To access the Health Direct for Telehealth
To access the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED)
Have something to tell us? We welcome all feedback from patients, family members or carers. Tell us more.