Healthy ageing, stronger teams and better systems

In April, we had fun working with teams across Western Sydney, Canberra, Western Victoria, Hunter New England and Adelaide.

Across each region, we continue to see strong interest in practical ways to strengthen general practice, support teams and embed more proactive care. Healthy ageing, frailty prevention, nursing capability and well-designed systems have all been important themes in our work this month.

Healthy ageing and frailty prevention

Interest in healthy ageing continues to build, particularly around the role of muscle health in maintaining independence, function and quality of life as people age.

We are pleased to be supporting ACT practices this month through our Healthy Ageing program, with a focus on audit and quality improvement. This work is helping practices identify opportunities to make frailty screening and muscle health checks more practical, consistent and useful within routine care.

Recent podcast: muscle health, frailty and prevention

We recently joined the Stronger Through the Ages podcast to discuss sarcopenia, frailty screening and the role of resistance training in primary care with exercise physiologists Professor Justin Keogh and Dr Tim Henwood.

The conversation explored how primary care can better recognise early signs of frailty and support older adults to maintain strength, confidence and independence.

Listen here. 

Practising what we preach: Chris’ year of strength training

Chris has also been putting healthy ageing into practice. In April, he completed 12 months of progressive resistance training with the team at Kieser Norwood.

After several years of injury-affected attempts at running, Chris decided to make time for the same “medicine” he has long advocated. With physiotherapy assessment, an exercise physiology program and two gym sessions each week, long-standing injuries have improved and he has returned to competitive track running.

Most recently, Chris won his age group in the 3000m, 5000m and 10000m events, and took 24 seconds off his personal best in the State 2000m steeplechase.

A good reminder that healthy ageing is not just a message for patients. It is something we can all keep learning and practising.

Nurses at the heart of primary care - Jane’s reflections

With International Nurses Day on 12 May, we are taking a moment to recognise the central role nurses play in primary care.

As demand on general practice continues to grow, nurses are integral to safe, effective and sustainable care. Jane Bollen, as a Registered Nurse, brings firsthand understanding of the pressures, complexity and opportunity within primary care nursing.

Across our work with Primary Health Networks and practice teams, we continue to see the value of investing in nursing capability, team culture and leadership. When nurses are supported to work to their full scope and are part of well-led, connected teams, practices are better placed to deliver high-quality care and support workforce sustainability.

What we’re learning: evidence needs systems

At a system level, recent Medicare updates continue to highlight the gap that can exist between evidence and everyday implementation. Good care depends not only on knowledge, but on the systems that make best practice easier to deliver consistently. Clear prompts, useful checklists and simple workflows can reduce cognitive load and support teams in busy clinical environments.

Looking ahead: stronger teams, better care

This continues to shape our leadership work, particularly around workforce wellbeing, team culture and reducing burnout. Better outcomes depend on stronger systems, supported teams and a sustained focus on prevention.

Thank you for being part of the Bollen Health network.

- Chris, Jane and Rod