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.

 

[IAN3005]

Good idea....

 

[Pammyt]

Fantastic for people who don’t need real emergency care. Always best to be in their home if possible. Helpful for Palliative care and for the elderly who may have some dementia starting - being admitted in long hospital stays often makes the symptoms of confusion worse than if they are treated at home where everything is familiar. There would be some homes that would be very risky for staff - a few volatile angry people frequent ED & you would not want to be visiting them at home.

 

[Johno54]

5300 treated last year, $31.4m additional funding, now 3500???? Seems like a waste of money.

 

[russ.bain]

I agree Johno54 looks like a lot of people will be not happy about being dropped

 

[Woody08]

It would be better to receive treatment for serious illness at home, than none at all.
It would appear that to be taken to Singleton (NSW) hospital by ambulance you would need to be having a heart attack or a stroke. This happened to my wife about 3 months ago. She was very sick & couldn't walk or sit, & the ambulance still refused to take her to hospital. This basically meant that I was not able to sleep for 72 hours & I am 79 years of age. Also a lady who was very sick on a weekend night was told by Singleton emergency dept to go see her doctor. Our GP's are not open on weekends during the day, let alone at night.
Hopefully the waiting time for in home treatment will be better than the waiting time at our emergency Dept. Our public hospital has gone to the pack.
Palliative care which I have used in the past is very good.

 

[Meredy Andrew]

Can't see this working. How many older people will have the technology & know how to use video conferencing. Really!!!!

 

[Clancieblue]

Can't see this working. How many older people will have the technology & know how to use video conferencing. Really!!!!

Exactly, after recent experiences with my late husband, I think if your old they can't be bothered with you.

 

[Greg350]

Can't see this working. How many older people will have the technology & know how to use video conferencing. Really!!!!

It's been working for decades, my wife came home from hospital and had regular visits by nurses, this was maybe 25 years ago.

 

[Rockyd]

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.

 

[Greg350]

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.

Doctors still do that if required, obviously not all of them. And there are specific services that handle home visits by doctors.

 

[MIZMAC]

Before my husband died 12 years ago he was having ongoing treatment at home. Officially he was still a patient of NORTHERN HOSPITAL. E very day a nurse would come to the home. She would ring prior to arriving letting us know about 30 minutes ahead that she was on her way. This worked very well for us as my husband was in familiar surroundings and free to do as he liked at home. When he deteriorated he returned to the hospital. We appreciated the convenience for us.

 

[Macarj]

That's a great idea

 

[Kayer02]

It is a fabulous idea. Here in Queensland we have had it for years. I needed it years ago when I got cellulitis and sepsis due to complications with a chronic Ulcer .The nurses came to my house every day, dressed my ulcer , changed my drips etc etc.. I was in the comfort of my own home, in my own bed and therefore it was both a physical and mental godsend..This has happened a few times as needless to say I still have that b****y Ulcer after 18 years.

 

[Towing]

Fantastic for people who don’t need real emergency care. Always best to be in their home if possible. Helpful for Palliative care and for the elderly who may have some dementia starting - being admitted in long hospital stays often makes the symptoms of confusion worse than if they are treated at home where everything is familiar. There would be some homes that would be very risky for staff - a few volatile angry people frequent ED & you would not want to be visiting them at home.

In SA there has been professionally trained voluntary Palliative Care people can adminsiter pain relief as well as chemo at home for many years. Once the pain relief needed has reached beyond a certain level it has to be done in a medical facility and have to be "admitted" There is also volunteers who literally sit with Palliative Care patients in hospitals, including overnight.

 

[grundig]

Will this one be city centred too??? Very little goes out into the rural regions.
Who will be left off the list again? outside the cities?
JBQ

 

[Bellclare]

'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.

 

[marni]

Yep just ask Jimmy Barnes. We are so fortunate to qualify for this service. Cannot fault the people who service this initiative. Instead of spending months in hospital we are now able to have loved ones at home

 

[magpie1]

Can't see this working. How many older people will have the technology & know how to use video conferencing. Really !!

 

[magpie1]

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.