What obligations do RACFs have in relation to providing psychological services for high care residents?
High care residents should be receiving allied health services, including psychological services, where there is an assessed care need for these services (ie if their care plan identifies a need for particular allied health services). RACFs should ensure high care residents receive such required therapy services at no cost to the resident. This includes therapy to maintain residents’ levels of independence in activities of daily living and temporary intensive therapy but excludes intensive, long term rehabilitation services. High care residents can also receive allied health services through MBS Item 731. Psychologists are included on the list of Allied Health Service Providers who can participate in the Panels Initiative. See additional information below (How many hours of AH support are high care residents meant to receive each year?).
