AHA planned, developed and delivered a state-wide education/training program for 200 Residential Aged Care Services operated by the Public Sector in Victoria. These aged care facilities are mainly based in rural and regional Victoria, representing nearly half of the services in those regions.

The education program was to support the rollout of a set of Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs) for use by aged care services. The project was conducted by AHA on behalf of The Aged Care Branch of the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Key deliverable included:

• Development of information and education strategy
• Development and delivery of training sessions
• Project report to the Department.

As well as developing and providing a series of seminars, a package of resources was also developed for use by service providers. The package consisted of a QPI manual for ongoing use and a set of overheads. The first stage of the project involved development of an information and education strategy. Strategies and plans were developed addressing:

• Content and structure of the training sessions and of the resource package
• Number and location of the training sessions
• Target personnel who should attend
• Ongoing support for providers.

The training and the resource package were well received by service providers, as follows:

• Overall, 94% of participants rated the training as excellent (34%) or good (60%)
• The presenters were highly rated – excellent 47%; good 50%, as was the resource package – excellent 53%; good 45%
• Following the training, most participants considered that they had an excellent or good knowledge of the Quality Performance Indicators (91%), their use to improve services (94%) and the data collection requirements (91%).