The future of healthcare is evolving, and for many Australians, especially our seniors, the prospect of receiving hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes is becoming a reality.

The New South Wales government has recognised the need to alleviate hospital strain and has responded with a substantial $31.4 million boost to the Hospital in the Home (HITH) program.

This initiative is set to revolutionise how thousands of patients receive medical treatment, focusing on reducing hospital wait times and improving patient outcomes.

The HITH program is familiar; it successfully treated 5300 patients last year.

However, with the additional funding, the program is expected to treat 3500 more patients annually.

The NSW government invested $31.4 million in the Hospital in the Home program to reduce wait times. Credit: Shutterstock

This is a game-changer for those who dread the thought of extended hospital stays or prefer the familiarity and comfort of their surroundings during recovery.

The program aims to shorten hospital stays by discharging patients to continue their treatment at home when possible, and in some cases, it allows patients to avoid hospital visits altogether.

Health Minister Ryan Park has emphasised the importance of creating more pathways to care outside the traditional hospital setting.

This approach improves patient flow within hospitals and relieves pressure on emergency departments.

The funding is expected to free up almost 9000 hospital bed days each year.

The investment will go towards additional staffing and developing a virtual care infrastructure.

This technological advancement will enable healthcare professionals to video-call patients remotely and monitor their conditions.

The state government is also expanding the list of conditions eligible for HITH, which includes cellulitis, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and urinary tract infections.

Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals are set to participate in the expanded program, with more locations to be announced.

This is just one of the many initiatives funded by the government to help relieve the pressure on the healthcare system.

Other initiatives include $70 million allocated to emergency departments and $100 million to urgent care facilities.

Key Takeaways

• The NSW government is providing a $31.4 million boost to the Hospital in the Home (HITH) program to reduce hospital wait times and treat more patients at home.
• Additional funding will allow the HITH program to treat 3500 patients annually, and almost 9000 hospital bed days are expected to be released annually.
• With the expansion of the program, the government aims to improve patient flow within the hospital and create more care pathways outside the hospital, according to Health Minister Ryan Park.
• The range of conditions eligible for HITH treatment is being expanded and includes cellulitis, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and urinary tract infections, with Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals included in the program.

What are your thoughts on receiving medical treatment at home? Have you or someone you know ever experienced home-based care? Share your stories and tell us how you feel in the comments below.

 

[marni]

It would be made available on a case by case basis I would expect....those who can handle video conferencing would go home, and may even have home care nursing as well if necessary....other more serious cases would be treated in hospital.

There is no technology required. No one using conferencing. If you have a hospital acquired infection, or any infection which requires continuous infusion you have a Nurse come and fill a container each day which delivers the antibiotic (or any
Medicine) 24/7. Then you visit their doctor once a week. They also monitor blood, temperature, heart rate etc. This allows the bed you would be using probably for months to be used by numerous patients who need a bed for less time

 

[Reet]

Sounds good providing the health professionals who treat you at home are really up to date with treatment you require. It also means there has to be enough professionals to carry out the home visits.

 

[Reet]

I remember when Drs. went to a patients house. That would never happen these days. They are too high & mighty to lower themselves to do that.

From my point of view it is not the case that they are too high and mighty. They are so overwhelmed with the number of patients they have in their surgeries that they just don't have the time to carry out home visits as well. They are also limited to how much time they can allot to patients when they do see them.

 

[Reet]

I muat be lucky to live where I do because two years ago I hurt my leg just before Christmas and then spent 5 weeks in hospital. My leg was not healed and when I went home I had to see the surgeon every week and in the meantime I had home visits from some wonderful nurses to clean and dress my leg three times per week.

 

[marni]

Sounds good providing the health professionals who treat you at home are really up to date with treatment you require. It also means there has to be enough professionals to carry out the home visits.

They were wonderful. All would probably have given up Nursing due to the number of druggies or entitled people that they have to contend with. Hubby was glad to get away from the person in the next bed as well

 

[what]

I remember when Drs. went to a patients house. That would never happen these days. They are too high & mighty to lower themselves to do that.

They are so high and mighty that they can hardly be bothered with you if you go to see them. 5 minute appointments and you can only mention ONE THING!! I am going to demand my Doc explain how he diagnoses anything with only ONE THING. Google does much better and it's FREE. However you still need a Doc. to confirm what Google came up with.

 

[Scaveola]

I remember when Drs. went to a patients house. That would never happen these days. They are too high & mighty to lower themselves to do that.

I'm a family GP and have been one for 46 years. I always did home and nursing visits, not now as having treatment myself three days a week in hospital, only working part time. While home visits earn you very little, and are very time consuming, you get to see how patients live and cope etc, and learn about their family situations, even their pets.
I have been bitten twice by dogs, and trod in faeces once in an old lady's house. - was not sure if it was human or canine. I noticed the stink in my car and had to ask the next old lady I was visiting for help to wash it off everything!
But I fondly recall having nice afternoon or morning tea, eg scones, at some homes!

 

[TriciaR]

'The HITH program is familiar; it successfully treated 5300 patients last year.

However, with the additional funding, the program is expected to treat 3500 patients annually.'

SDC Staff - the numbers don't match the words ie with additional funding, FEWER patients will be treated!

PLEASE ADJUST.

Hi @Bellclare ! The article has been edited to show that the program is expected to treat 3500 MORE patients annually. Thank you for calling us out on this.