The psychological support services include transition and adjustment support, end of life counselling, support and management of anxiety and depression, dementia screening and referral support, and general psychosocial support and supportive counselling.

The aim of the tender is to commission evidence-based services that improve equitable access for residential aged care facility residents using a place-based approach to care.

The need for psychological support for residential aged care facility residents in Mackay was identified through local stakeholder feedback, NQPHN’s Health Needs Assessment (HNA), and recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said that NQPHN is seeking to bridge the gap in access to mental health support for residential aged care facility residents in the region to assist them to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“Mental health services are not typically available to older people living in privately funded residential aged care facilities and are beyond the scope of the personal care and accommodation services provided by residential aged care facilities,” said Ms Whyte.

““The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW’s) GEN: People’s care needs in aged care report identified that 49 per cent – almost half - of people in permanent residential aged care have a diagnosis of depression.

“Findings from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety show that Australians are living longer than ever before, resulting in the aged care sector facing an ageing population with increasing frailty.

“Older people are more likely to have more than one health condition (comorbidity) as their life expectancy increases.

“These changing demographics, together with changes in the patterns of disease and in the expectations of older people and society, have impacts on the demand for aged care in a number of ways.

“We are looking for in-reach psychological services that address these gaps in mental health care for residential aged care facility residents across the Mackay region.

“The services need to be provided within our stepped care model of mental health support with particular focus on meeting the needs of older people that fit into the mild to moderate mental illness level.

“The services should use a place-based approach to care, be evidence-based, and have the ability to be implemented collaboratively with the residential aged care facilities, including communication with residents, stakeholders, family members, carers, and general practitioners.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with the successful applicant to help residential aged care facility residents in Mackay live happier, healthier, longer lives.”

Applicants interested in applying for the tender should visit NQPHN’s online procurement portal at www.nqphn.com.au/commissioning/etenderbox

The tender closes on 5 April 2021 at 5pm.