For the first time ever, residents in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker regions will have access to hospital-level care from the comfort and privacy of their own homes, with the expansion of the Marshall Liberal Government’s My Home Hospital program.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said since launching earlier this year, more than 1,600 South Australians have received care from My Home Hospital.
“Nearly 300 of these South Australians were residents in aged care facilities, who avoided potentially unnecessary trips to an Emergency Department or hospital admissions, freeing up beds for others who needed them,” Minister Wade said.
“In July, Wellbeing SA and the Barossa, Hills, Fleurieu Local Health Network successfully expanded the service outside of metropolitan Adelaide into the Gawler Hospital catchment area. The success of this rollout has led to the expansion into the Hills and Mount Barker regions.
“This means that for the first time ever, Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker residents can now receive the hospital-level care they can expect at one of our public hospitals, from the comfort of their own homes.
“The growth of My Home Hospital could not come at a better time, as ensuring capacity in our traditional hospitals is one of our highest priorities now that our borders have reopened.”
Wellbeing SA Acting Chief Executive Jeanette Walters said My Home Hospital works in partnership with a patient’s existing healthcare professionals to deliver hospital-level care in the home.
“Just as you would experience in a traditional hospital, someone from the My Home Hospital care team visits you every day, as often as needed, with the added benefit of you not having to leave your home, your loved ones, or your pets for the duration of your stay, ” Ms Walters said.
“My Home Hospital uses remote monitoring technology that is easy to use, allowing nurses and doctors to stay in touch with you at any time to review your pulse, temperature, blood pressure and other measurements.
“We have worked with clinicians and healthcare providers from the Adelaide Hills from the outset to ensure the service delivered in Mount Barker and the Hills is tailored to the needs of local residents,” she said.
Member for Heysen Josh Teague said this service is a brilliant addition to those already available in the Adelaide Hills.
“It’s top tier care from the comfort of your own home – giving you, your family and loves ones that extra dose of convenience,” Mr Teague said.
“I encourage residents to explore the service and identify if they are eligible,” he said.
My Home Hospital is a Wellbeing SA service, delivered by a joint venture between Calvary and Medibank.
Patients can be referred to My Home Hospital by their GP, medical specialist, nurse practitioner, SA Ambulance Service paramedic, or from an Emergency Department or hospital.
My Home Hospital provides treatment for infections requiring IV antibiotics, exacerbation of respiratory conditions, vascular thromboembolism, heart failure and chest pain, post-operative care and other conditions for which home-based hospital care is safe and appropriate.
