Patients can now be referred through the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) to receive hospital level care in the comfort and privacy of their own home, through an expansion of the My Home Hospital service.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing said the My Home Hospital service, launched by the Marshall Liberal Government in January, is helping ease the pressure on South Australia's emergency departments and deliver care closer to home.
"The innovative and patient-centred approach of the My Home Hospital service not only provides care from the comfort of people's homes, but it will also help increase hospital capacity and reduce pressure on the wider health system," said Minister Wade.
"In just under three months, 150 patients have benefitted from the My Home Hospital service, which officially launched in January this year.
"With almost 90 per cent of these patients having been referred by our metropolitan hospitals, welcoming referrals from SAAS is an exciting next step in the program.
"South Australians living in metropolitan Adelaide can now be referred to My Home Hospital directly from SAAS, as well as their GP, medical specialist, nurse practitioner, hospital team or emergency department.
"This will in turn help free up beds within the system for people who may need them.
"The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to delivering better health care for South Australians, closer to home, and My Home Hospital is supporting this commitment."
SA Ambulance Service Chief Executive Officer, David Place, said My Home Hospital will be available for a range of South Australians who need hospital treatment but not necessarily a lights and sirens ambulance response.
"We have many patients who are suitable for My Home Hospital and I'm sure they will welcome the opportunity to receive treatment in the familiar surroundings of home and avoid the stresses of being admitted via a hospital emergency department," said Mr Place.
"We know that these low acuity patients are the most likely to face delays - whether in our ambulance response, on the ramp or in an ED - and those delays impact not only the patient but the whole of health."
Wellbeing SA Chief Executive, Lyn Dean, said people who need treatment for conditions such as kidney or respiratory infections, cellulitis or deep vein thrombosis are eligible for the program.
"We know receiving care at home brings immeasurable benefits to people's mental health and wellbeing when they are unwell.
Alongside improved privacy and comfort comes the added bonus of recovering with the love and support of family, friends and pets," said Ms Dean.
"My Home Hospital uses remote monitoring technology to enable their medical team to stay in touch with patients at any time, tracking their observations such as pulse, temperature and blood pressure in real-time, between clinician visits."
My Home Hospital is a Wellbeing SA service delivered by a joint venture between Calvary and Medibank and is available at no charge to eligible public patients across metropolitan Adelaide.
To find out more about My Home Hospital, visit myhomehospital.sa.gov.au
