The Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN), together with 15 other Primary Health Networks across Australia, has launched the Residential Aged Care Telehealth Training Program. This initiative aims to support telehealth services in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) through comprehensive online training modules tailored for personal care workers, nurses, managers, onsite clinicians, and other health professionals.
WVPHN CEO Craig Wilding highlights the program’s use of modern education technology to enhance telehealth implementation in aged care. The training, developed by Obvious Choice, features short, six-minute digital learning modules designed to fit busy schedules. Each module includes practical advice, checklists, and resources to quickly apply the learning, complemented by plain-language closed-captioned videos for accessibility. The program’s microlearning approach offers ongoing professional development, with evaluation data indicating a strong preference for this format among nurses.
“We are excited about this training, it uses the latest education learning and technology to support professionals working in RACHs, from personal care workers to nurses, managers, onsite clinicians and other health professionals.”
Craig Wilding, CEO, Western Victoria Primary Health Network
Chelsea Chambers, RN, Director of Nursing at Jacaranda Village in Victoria, noted telehealth’s ability to provide residents with access to specialist appointments despite remote locations. Nurse Practitioner Amanda Woodlands, serving 11 RACHs in NSW, highlighted telehealth’s efficiency in managing a large geographical area, allowing more time for clinical work rather than travel.
The training program is accredited by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and the Australian College of Nursing, enabling nurses and GPs to earn CPD points. Available free to all Commonwealth-funded RACHs and telehealth clinicians, the program ensures consistent, accredited telehealth training across Australia.
For more information, visit www.resiagedcaretelehealth.training, where training modules can be tailored to the needs of each organisation.
Other PHNs involved in the project include: South Eastern Melbourne, Murray, Eastern Melbourne, North Western Melbourne, Gippsland, Tasmania, Coordinare (NSW), Western NSW, Murrumbidgee, Healthy North Coast (NSW), Gold Coast, Brisbane North, Northern QLD and Darling Downs West Moreton.
