An initiative to better meet the needs of people with disability as they begin their pathway of returning home after a hospital stay is expected to make more beds available in Western Australia’s hospital system for patients requiring acute care.
As part of the ‘From Hospital to Home’ disability support pilot program, people with disability who are medically fit will be discharged from hospital to supported accommodation at a newly refurbished facility in Como.
The 12-bed unit will accommodate eligible persons aged 30 to 65 years for up to 18 weeks while long-term supports are arranged through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), aged care or mental health services.
WA hospitals are experiencing growth in demand and some patients are staying in hospital longer than needed, often awaiting disability supports or appropriate accommodation to return to their communities.
The pilot is a partnership with the Hall and Prior Health and Aged Care Group and is fully funded by the McGowan Government as part of its commitment to improving access to hospital beds for those with a medical need.
The service offers a more home-like environment than hospital with all the necessary disability and social supports available, with improved access to outdoor areas and convenience for visitors so that people can plan their long-term arrangements from a more appropriate place.
The initiative is one of several being developed with partner agencies such as the Department of Communities and Mental Health Commission to better support patients experiencing discharge delay.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring that every patient receives high quality care in the best setting.
“Hospitals are a place for people who are very unwell and this partnership with Hall and Prior aims to ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home over time, accommodated in a room that is more home-like and has greater privacy and peace and quiet than a busy hospital.
“Initiatives like this will help alleviate system pressures, as will the addition of 530 beds we are bringing on line over the next year.”
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
“The ‘From Hospital to Home’ pilot program is a great initiative that will assist in facilitating hospital discharge for people with disability who are medically ready but awaiting disability supports by providing welcoming, appropriate accommodation while long-term community support is put into place.
“The McGowan Government continues to advocate for the Commonwealth Government to implement fast tracked NDIS access and plan reviews for hospital patients to ease the transition from hospital to community support to ensure the best care and physical and mental health outcomes for people with disability.”
