This report is an evaluation of a demonstration site coordinated by Health Workforce New Zealand. A gerontology nurse specialist in primary care identifies at-risk older adults in a GP practice or practices, and coordinates their care.
Purpose
The aim of this pilot study is to create a pathway for the development of a PHO Gerontology Nurse Specialist (GNS) role within the primary care setting and the development of an Integrated Health Model.Objectives:
- To assess the effectiveness and sustainability of a GNS working in a primary care setting.
- To describe a GNS led proactive risk screening process, using the Brief Risk Identification for Geriatric Health Tool (BRIGHT) screen, for older people in the community.
- To describe the impact of a comprehensive gerontology assessment and care planning intervention for older people identified as high risk in the community.
- To trial the interRAI MDS-HC in primary care.
- To explore the potential of the GNS role for upskilling the primary care workforce.