Navigating the healthcare system can be a daunting experience.

This case is especially true for senior community members who require complex care.

In light of the senior community's needs, a groundbreaking pilot program brought a beacon of hope that could improve the efficiency and quality of care for elderly patients.

A pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne embedded a geriatrician within the emergency department (ED).

This move has shown remarkable results during its initial run, halving the number of older patients admitted to hospital beds.

This initiative both improved patient outcomes and saved about 900 acute bed days by diverting almost 150 elderly patients previously planned for admission.

The success of this trial was a testament to the power of specialised care.

Seniors previously queued for a hospital stay can now stay at home thanks to a program ran by St Vincent's Hospital. Image Credit: Pexels/Rollz International

Geriatricians are medical doctors who specialise in elderly care and are focused on unique health issues that come with ageing.

These specialists consider the full spectrum of a senior's life, including overlapping illnesses, multiple drug therapies, and their support systems.

One of the hospital's senior patients, Beverley Minogue, was initially queued for hospital admission.

After her knee gave out due to osteoarthritis, she faced the prospect of a lengthy hospital stay.

However, thanks to the Geriatrician in the Emergency Department (GED) service implemented at St Vincent's Hospital, the 85-year-old senior came home with a comprehensive support plan.

This plan included daily visits from nurses, a physiotherapist, and a geriatrician for two weeks.

Minogue was able to manage her condition comfortably at her home.

The GED service goes beyond keeping beds free; it also provides the right care in the right setting.

For many seniors, the hospital setting could be disorienting or detrimental to their recovery.

Previous studies indicated that seniors are at a higher risk of falls, delirium, and confusion when hospitalised compared to recovering at home.

The program first assesses patients in the ED.

If appropriate, the geriatrician sends them home with a tailored care plan.

According to the pilot program's results, there has been no increase in re-admissions for those diverted from hospital stays.

This innovative approach became beneficial for both patients and the healthcare system in general.

With the number of seniors presenting to emergency departments steadily increasing, the challenge to accommodate everyone has been an ongoing issue.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recognised the urgency of the situation and called for a long-term funding agreement to support senior Australians better.

The AMA's Hospital Report Card highlighted that public hospital beds per Australian over 65 have more than halved since the early '90s.

A study in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found that more than half of the older adults seen by the geriatrician service at Monash Medical Centre were directly discharged from emergency, with only a four per cent re-admission rate.

The pilot program at St Vincent's Hospital pushed through thanks to a combination of Victorian government funding, hospital resources, and philanthropic contributions.

Similar programs are also being trialled across the country as they aim to address the health needs of an ageing population.

Innovative solutions like the GED service should be vital in providing tailored elderly care while keeping Australia's healthcare system running.

The AMA urged the incoming government to prioritise the next National Health Reform Agreement, which would increase Commonwealth funding for state-run hospitals and allow flexible funding for home-based programs like the GED.

Key Takeaways

• St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne introduced a geriatrician in its emergency department, which significantly reduced the number of older patients admitted to hospital beds.
• The program diverted almost 150 elderly patients planned for admission, which saved about 900 acute bed days.
• The Australian Medical Association (AMA) called for a long-term funding agreement to address the increasing number of older Australians requiring emergency care.
• Studies indicated that patients tend to recover quicker at home, and the embedded geriatrician program has shown success without an increase in re-admissions.

What do you think of this program? Will you benefit from this program if it pushes through? Share your thoughts and opinions about this initiative in the comments section below!

 

[ariba]

Australia is taking a huge step forward in improving healthcare for its senior citizens.
A hospital trial is pushing for better support, and it’s designed to make sure older Aussies receive the care they deserve. So, how can YOU benefit from it? Let’s dive in.

2/
What is the Hospital Trial About?
The new hospital trial is aimed at improving healthcare services and outcomes for senior Australians.
It focuses on:

• Better management of chronic conditions
• Improved hospital care experiences
• Enhanced support for seniors after discharge

3/
Key Goals of the Trial

• Reducing hospital readmissions: Ensuring seniors don’t need to return to the hospital unnecessarily.
• Faster recovery at home: Offering more support for seniors in their own homes through telehealth and community-based care.
• Personalized care plans: Tailoring healthcare to the specific needs of older adults, promoting independence and wellbeing.

4/
How Does This Impact You?
If you’re a senior or have a loved one who’s aging, the benefits are clear:

• Better healthcare outcomes with more focused, personalized care.
• Reduced hospital stays through targeted interventions.
• Easier access to home healthcare services, so recovery is more comfortable and less stressful.

5/
How You Can Benefit from This Trial

1. Eligibility: If you're 65 or older, you may be eligible to participate in the trial or benefit from the services it provides.
2. Access to Enhanced Care: You may receive more in-depth care, both in the hospital and at home.
3. Support for Family Members: Caregivers will also have access to better support and resources to ensure the well-being of seniors at home.

6/
Ready to Take Advantage?
If you're wondering how to sign up or get involved in the trial, check with your healthcare provider or local hospital.
You can also explore more resources on senior care and support services on our website [Your Website Link].


7/
Why It Matters for Senior Australians
This trial is more than just a healthcare program — it’s a movement towards creating a health system that truly understands and meets the needs of its aging population. Let’s work together to make healthcare more inclusive, efficient, and supportive.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Hospital food would kill a brown dog.
So there's that to consider too.
Maybe they should hire proper cooks along with their Geriatricians.

 

[Vespa Girl]

What happens to Beverley Minogue at the end of her 2 weeks? I wondered whether this just puts off an admission by 2 weeks or whether it gives them time to arrange an operation if that is what she needs.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Hospital food would kill a brown dog.
So there's that to consider too.
Maybe they should hire proper cooks along with their Geriatricians.

I haven't died yet from hospital food.

Try prison food. Now that is the pits!!

 

[Wombat2u2004]

I haven't died yet from hospital food.

Try prison food. Now that is the pits!!

You should try the hospital food here in Thailand. They give you a menu with Thai food or Western food. It's like being in a restaurant mate.
Yep, I've heard all about prison food, my daughter is one of the managers down at Long Bay.

 

[Ezzy]

With the 'catch call' regularly heard for more hospital beds l believe this would alleviate those problems.
There may be a need to employ more specialist staff as those mentioned in the story to visit patients, but if the patient is recovering better because they are at home, there isn't a problem.

Hospital food at ST JOHN OF GODS in W.A. is the best you can get. No set times for meals either. Just order via phone to the kitchen 1/2 an hour before needed from an extensive menu.

I worked at a metropolitan prison for nearly 7 years & can state:- As for prison food. At an outstation all meals are prepared by prisoners in a well equipped kitchen under the supervision of a qualified chef. Some of those outstations may grow their own food or even have livestock & a abbotoir. In the metro area civilian staff normally do food preparation on the premises but outside the prison itself & send meals in a heated Baine Marie into the prison. Most times (99.9%), these meals are better than what you & l get at home & equivalent to restaurant food.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

With the 'catch call' regularly heard for more hospital beds l believe this would alleviate those problems.
There may be a need to employ more specialist staff as those mentioned in the story to visit patients, but if the patient is recovering better because they are at home, there isn't a problem.

Hospital food at ST JOHN OF GODS in W.A. is the best you can get. No set times for meals either. Just order via phone to the kitchen 1/2 an hour before needed from an extensive menu.

I worked at a metropolitan prison for nearly 7 years & can state:- As for prison food. At an outstation all meals are prepared by prisoners in a well equipped kitchen under the supervision of a qualified chef. Some of those outstations may grow their own food or even have livestock & a abbotoir. In the metro area civilian staff normally do food preparation on the premises but outside the prison itself & send meals in a heated Baine Marie into the prison. Most times (99.9%), these meals are better than what you & l get at home & equivalent to restaurant food.

Not in Armidale Hospital mate. I get to stay in the private wing and the food is prepacked and delivered there and also to the public wards, it's all the same.
The kitchen there is huge and modern, but I'm sure all that happens there is preheating those delivered meals in aluminium trays. Probably that's where tea and coffee come from.

 

[Ezzy]

Not in Armidale Hospital mate. I get to stay in the private wing and the food is prepacked and delivered there and also to the public wards, it's all the same.
The kitchen there is huge and modern, but I'm sure all that happens there is preheating those delivered meals in aluminium trays. Probably that's where tea and coffee come from.

Could this be the obvious difference between a Government Hospital & a Private Hospital?

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Could this be the obvious difference between a Government Hospital & a Private Hospital?

Well my point here Ezzy, is that at Armidale Hospital there is no difference in the food served to patients in both the Government hospital and the attached Private Hospital. It's dogfood.

 

[Nantes]

Could this be the obvious difference between a Government Hospital & a Private Hospital?

Yes, could well be.

 

[Ezzy]

Well my point here Ezzy, is that at Armidale Hospital there is no difference in the food served to patients in both the Government hospital and the attached Private Hospital. It's dogfood.

Are you referring to Armadale in W.A. & if so what is the name of the attached Private Hospital which at one time may have been Galliers?

St. John of God Hospital at Murdoch is of course not attached to any other Hospital. Meals are requested a minimum 1/2 an hour before wanted, prepared in the kitchen & taken to the patient. The meals are now far superior to those about 3 years ago when l was there.

 

[Asiew]

This is actually a smart move. My grandma had a rough time in the hospital a few years back, she got more confused and weak just from being there. Having a geriatrician step in early and set up a home care plan sounds way better.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Are you referring to Armadale in W.A. & if so what is the name of the attached Private Hospital which at one time may have been Galliers?

St. John of God Hospital at Murdoch is of course not attached to any other Hospital. Meals are requested a minimum 1/2 an hour before wanted, prepared in the kitchen & taken to the patient. The meals are now far superior to those about 3 years ago when l was there.

Armidale NSW. The food is really bad. It is all imported from somewhere, and the hospital kitchen I think is only there to heat up the meals and maybe make hot drinks for the tea lady.

 

[Ezzy]

Armidale NSW. The food is really bad. It is all imported from somewhere, and the hospital kitchen I think is only there to heat up the meals and maybe make hot drinks for the tea lady.

I did say in my original statement Murdoch W.A. l had no ideal you were in a different State because you said Armidale & no mention of a state until this comment when you stated NSW. Thanks for clearing that up. [not as if you can do as mentioned in the joke of the lady on the boat when asked if she wanted a meal, stating simply, 'throw it overboard & save me doing it']

 

[Wombat2u2004]

I did say in my original statement Murdoch W.A. l had no ideal you were in a different State because you said Armidale & no mention of a state until this comment when you stated NSW. Thanks for clearing that up. [not as if you can do as mentioned in the joke of the lady on the boat when asked if she wanted a meal, stating simply, 'throw it overboard & save me doing it']

Yeah Ezzy......Armidale NSW. Not Armadale WA.
I have a lot of people that make that mistake, so maybe I should always put NSW after my city.
I remember one guy from Perth who I was talking to about investment homes, and I told him I owned a townhouse in Belmont. He asked me if I lived there and I said no, I lived in Armidale. He replied "Why don't you live in Belmont, it's a better place than Armadale?" LOLOLOL

 

[Ezzy]

Yeah Ezzy......Armidale NSW. Not Armadale WA.
I have a lot of people that make that mistake, so maybe I should always put NSW after my city.
I remember one guy from Perth who I was talking to about investment homes, and I told him I owned a townhouse in Belmont. He asked me if I lived there and I said no, I lived in Armidale. He replied "Why don't you live in Belmont, it's a better place than Armadale?" LOLOLOL

Yes would clear up a lot of mis-understanding Wombat with so many States sharing similar names for suburbs. He is correct. Belmont in W.A. is close to the city of Perth, the Casino, Race Courses etc & is a little more expensive to live in, whereas, once the railway updates are finished, Armadale isn't so far from the City & no need to worry about finding expensive parking in the City. I never ever travel to the City when it can be found in the suburbs.

 

[Ezzy]

Armidale NSW. The food is really bad. It is all imported from somewhere, and the hospital kitchen I think is only there to heat up the meals and maybe make hot drinks for the tea lady.

Not a good situation when $'s take a greater priority than a patient's health.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Not a good situation when $'s take a greater priority than a patient's health.

They are very understaffed too. I had to go and search out some water for my dying wife.

 

[Ezzy]

They are very understaffed too. I had to go and search out some water for my dying wife.

Sorry to hear this. In today's world both situations are unacceptable.