Elderly patients now have access to the new Complex and RestorativE (CARE) service at the Repat, improving access to vital health care for Southern Adelaide residents.
The CARE service, staffed by specialist geriatric, nursing and allied health staff and delivered in partnership with SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), has been specifically designed to improve care for older patients by providing alternative treatment pathways to Emergency Departments (ED) where emergency care is not required.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the service would ease pressure on hospitals and give elderly patients the best possible care.
"We know our hospitals are experiencing an increase in demand and this is predicted to grow over the coming years as the community in the South becomes older," said Minister Wade.
"With this in mind, the Marshall Liberal Government is investing $6 million in the pilot of the CARE service, including the establishment of a CARE centre located at the Repat.
"Elderly and complex patients who do not need emergency care are arriving at EDs each day and admitted to hospital because alternative, more appropriate treatment pathways have not been readily available to them.
"Research shows that Hospital EDs are often not the best place for older or frail people to receive non-emergency care. If it's not an emergency, it is often better for people to receive care at home or close to home.
"The CARE team can deliver same day hospital level care to appropriate older people, either in their homes or at the CARE centre based right here at the Repat Health Precinct.
"Since Peter Malinauskas closed the Repat as Health Minister under the former Labor Government, we scrapped the sale of the site and are investing $115 million to revitalise the precinct as a vital part of South Australia's future health system.
"We are determined to give people across South Australia the best possible health care, closer to their home, and the commencement of this service is yet another example of the Government delivering on that commitment."
The CARE centre, currently located within the Bangka Strait Ward at the Repat, has six treatment spaces and provides an alternative to the Emergency Department.
The service will be supported by a Command Centre which will be digitally enabled and allow collaborative triage and prioritisation between SAAS and Southern Adelaide Local Health Network to support patient care in the most appropriate and timely place.
The CARE initiative takes advantage of the latest digital enhancements in health care, providing greater connectivity and engagement with health service providers and greater access to ongoing care for patients.
The service is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team including specialist doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and administration support.
Appropriate non-emergency older patients who have called SAAS for help will be offered the services of the CARE team.
The CARE service will initially provide services between 9am–5pm Monday to Friday.
