CQU steps up to support carers in reducing aged care hospitalisations

A CQUniversity initiative is currently being delivered to aged care workers in the Bundaberg region, to provide them with additional skills and knowledge and assist them in reducing hospitalisations. 

The Early Recognition of and Response to Deterioration in the Older Adult project is a free face-to-face, hands-on workshop delivered at the CQUniversity Bundaberg campus and funded by the Queensland Government’s $5.9 million Micro-credentialling Program.

It has been designed by qualified healthcare educators to empower personal care workers in the aged care sector to gain new skills and voice concerns about suspected deterioration of older adults. 

As part of the full-day workshop, participants will complete online modules and practical sessions to develop their skills in pain assessment and non-pharmacological pain management techniques; identifying signs related to the four most common causes of hospitalisation; urinary catheter and bowel care; and communication and escalation skills. 

Program leader and Diploma of Nursing Teacher, Joy Matthews said the workshop sees participants acquire valuable skills and knowledge to help them in their roles as carers, improving outcomes for patients and their employers. 

“Participants are gaining in-depth and practical knowledge in the conditions that commonly lead to potentially preventable hospital admissions.

“Our goal in designing and delivering this program is to help upskill staff to add further value within aged care settings by recognising and escalating signs of deterioration, so that action can be taken before hospitalisation is required,” said Ms Matthews. 

“Older people, especially those in aged care, are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions that lead to visits to emergency ward and hospitals stays but by identifying signs of deterioration early, it is possible to discuss treatment options with residents and their families.”

Joy emphasised the importance of preventing hospitalisations through proactive and specialised care by adding: “Hospitalisations can be disruptive and challenging for older individuals. By providing our aged care workforce with advanced skills and knowledge, we can enable them to offer a higher standard of care that ultimately respects the older adult’s choices and may reduce the need for older adults in residential care to be admitted to hospital”.

“This is obviously a better outcome for the patient, as well as for our health services,” she said. 

The program is structured to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals, offering flexibility in terms of both timing and delivery format. 

This approach reflects CQUniversity's commitment to making education accessible and convenient for those already contributing to the community in critical roles.

At the completion of the workshop participants will receive a micro-credential and digital badge.

The next workshop is scheduled for Thursday 8 August and is free for eligible participants. 

There are also plans to increase access to this course through full online delivery so that more aged care workers in more regions can benefit.

The delivery of this initiative has been made possible due to more than $58,000 in funding, delivered by the Queensland Government through the Department of Small Business, Employment and Training.

The Queensland Government’s $5.9 million Micro-credentialling Program is part of the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.

You can check your eligibility to complete the micro-credential and register your attendance online or you can follow the QR Code on the images related to this story.