There is good news for providers wanting to get involved early with creating evidence-based solutions to key workforce problems and enact meaningful change during a time of major transition – applications for participation in the Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia flagship projects are now open.
The Aged Care Collaborative flagship projects, which were announced last month along with new accelerator grants, are funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care through ARIIA. Selected participants will receive $120,000 to implement the applicable 12-month project, which also requires a matched co-contribution in cash or in-kind from participants.
Up to six providers will be selected to participate in Flagship Project 1: Enhancing Role Clarity, Communication and Career Pathways with a Flexible Leadership Model and eight will be selected for Flagship Project 2: Empowering Data Literacy and Capability to Drive Quality Care.
With support from embedded subject matter experts and the Aged Care Collaborative Advisory Group, ARIIA will lead the projects as the evaluation and project implementation partner.
Flagship Project 1
Flagship Project 1 aims to optimise residential and home care workforce utilisation by co-designing a flexible role matrix that will streamline responsibilities and communications.
By engaging staff and leaders in the co-design process, it is hoped workforce efficiency will be enhanced and stress reduced.
The co-design process also aims to clarify career pathways and improve staff retention, along with better communication between residents, families and staff.
Flagship Project 2
Flagship Project 2 focuses on empowering providers to utilise existing data sources – such as data on pressure injuries and wound care – to improve the quality of care they are delivering and improve the data capabilities of staff
Data-driven insights can also provide opportunity to address problems and implement evidence-based interventions.
Implementation of projects
Both flagship projects begin with six months of workshops, consultation and co-design to outline any potential challenges and opportunities. This period will also be used as an opportunity to plan an evidence-based intervention targeted specifically to each participating site.
The next six months will be spent on implementing and evaluating the tailored intervention, with ongoing support from ARIIA and subject matter experts.
Applications for both flagships close at 5:00pm ACST on 24 April.
Applications accepted from aged care providers as a participating site only and no applications from pre-formed consortia or partnerships are eligible.
More information on the application process can be found here.
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