August 08 2025 Ageing concerns Written by Whiddon

Collaborative Health Care in Action: A New Model for Aged Care for Regional, Rural and Remote Areas

In recent years, the need for a more connected and compassionate approach to aged care has become increasingly clear. At Whiddon, we believe that true change comes from listening to our communities, understanding local needs, and working together across sectors.

That’s why we’re proud to be spearheading a new, provider-driven model of care that’s already set to make a difference across regional and rural Australia.

This model, known as the Collaborative Health Care (CHC) Initiative, is about creating seamless, responsive healthcare systems that better support older Australians living in places where access has often been limited.

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Why a New Model of Care Is Needed

Older Australians in regional and remote communities often face significant barriers when it comes to accessing quality healthcare and aged care services. From workforce shortages and limited transport options to fragmented systems and longer hospital stays, the challenges are widespread.

National research continues to show poorer health outcomes and higher rates of preventable hospital admissions for older people living outside major cities. These gaps highlight a pressing need for sustainable, place-based care that puts the needs of individuals and communities at its heart.

This is the foundation of the Collaborative Health Care Initiative: a new way of thinking that brings aged care providers, health services, and governments together to co-design solutions that work at a local level.

The Benefits of Collaborative Health Care

One of the most promising aspects of the Collaborative Health Care model is its ability to create smoother, more connected care journeys for older Australians. Rather than navigating a complex and disjointed system, individuals can receive timely support that bridges the gaps between hospital, aged care, and home.

One pilot program is trialling a flexible transitional care approach, allowing hospital patients to move directly into residential aged care for reablement-focused support.

This process removes the need for complicated short-term funding applications, helps free up hospital beds, and ensures that people can begin their recovery in a more familiar and supportive environment before transitioning back to their homes.

In another example, long-stay hospital patients are joining wellbeing activities offered by aged care providers, rather than resting by their hospital beds for prolonged periods. These shared programs encourage social connection, movement, and emotional wellbeing, while also helping individuals grow more comfortable with aged care settings.

Together, these examples show how collaborative care can reduce delays, improve transitions, and provide holistic support when and where it is needed most.

How the Model Is Already Working in Practice

Since the CHC Initiative launched in 2024, Whiddon has brought together more than 20 partners from across the aged care and health sectors. These include aged care providers, government departments, universities, and peak bodies, all working together to co-design care solutions tailored to local needs.

Through two national workshops held in early 2025, six pilot programs were developed and are now underway. Each pilot focuses on a specific area of collaboration, such as:

Shared wellbeing and lifestyle programs that support emotional and social wellbeing for long-term older hospital patients
Shared workforce models that allow health professionals to work across hospitals and aged care, and a single employer model
Shared transport services to help older people access medical appointments and community care
Integrated non-clinical services like catering, laundry and maintenance that enhance efficiency
Agile transitional care beds that help people leave the hospital sooner and recover safely
Joint emergency and disaster preparedness planning to strengthen local response

These programs are already being trialled in places like Lithgow, Wee Waa, Casino and Dubbo. While tailored to local communities, the long-term aim is to scale and adapt these initiatives across the country, ensuring that more people benefit from a connected, agile and person-centred system of care that coordinates across funding streams and care sectors.

What This Means for Older Australians in Rural Communities

For many older people living in rural and regional areas, access to aged care and health services has long been shaped by distance, availability of staff, and limited service integration. The CHC Initiative directly addresses these challenges by creating collaborative systems that are more efficient and responsive to local needs.

By sharing workforce, infrastructure, and knowledge across health and aged care, we’re building a system that works better for everyone, especially in places where services have historically struggled to keep up with demand.

The model also supports better use of community resources, stronger referral pathways, and more coordinated care, ensuring that older Australians do not fall through the cracks simply because of where they live.

Whiddon’s Vision for the Future of Aged Care

Whiddon has always believed in leading with purpose and care, especially when it comes to supporting our regional and remote communities. The CHC Initiative is a powerful example of how providers like us can shape the future of aged care, not just for today, but for generations to come.

With support from government, academic partners and our sector peers, we’re committed to scaling what works, listening to community feedback, and continuing to adapt this model so that every older person, no matter where they live, can access the care they deserve.

Visit our dedicated Collaborative Health Care Initiative page to keep up to date about our progress and get in touch with our friendly team for more information on our various aged care services.