The Aged Care Assessment team (ACAT) aims to
maximise the independence and health of older people and assist them, and their carers, to
work out what kind of care will best meet their needs when they can no longer manage at home
without assistance.
 Who are we?
The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) is part of the Rehabilitation and
Aged Care Service at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Health Service.
What do we do?
The ACAT provides a thorough assessment of your care needs and offers information and advice
on suitable and available care options.
Assessments usually take place in the client's home but can occur in hospital depending on
circumstances. The assessment involves asking a range of questions to understand the needs of the
older person and then discussion about support and care options. We encourage the older person
to have a family member present if they would like to.
If care at home is agreed to as the most appropriate type of care, ACAT will refer you to local
community services. If residential care, either permanent or respite, is agreed as the best option,
the ACAT can approve you for hostel or nursing home care and advise you on suitable facilities.
ACAT staff are health professionals, including social workers, registered nurses, occupational
therapists, physiotherapists and geriatricians.
How you can access our service
Anyone can make a referral to the ACAT on behalf of an older person, as long as the person is
aware of, and agrees with need for, the referral. Self referrals can also be made.
If the request is to see a geriatrician then a referral from the person's GP is required.
Referrals can be telephoned or faxed to the ACAT Clinical Coordinator by telephone on 94779525
or fax 9477 9723, Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm.
There is a waiting time for assessment of usually five to six weeks. Any special or more urgent needs can be discussed with the Clinical Coordinator.
The approximate waiting time will be advised at the time of referral. You will be contacted by
the team member who will do the assessment closer to the time of the home visit so a suitable
date and time can be arranged.
There is no fee for an ACAT assessment.
Where you can find us
The ACAT is located in Building 8 (old Leighton Lodge), near gate 6 on the campus of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.
What are our hours?
The ACAT operates Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm (excluding Public Holidays).
How you can contact us
Contact for this service is made on telephone 9477 9525 or fax 9477 9723.
More information
Information about the Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service is available. Information on accessing other RACS services is available by following the links
to those services:
Printable version 
|
