A Calvary-Medibank joint venture has been appointed as the service provider for South Australia's new My Home Hospital program.
The program, which will commence later this year, will deliver acute medical care in the home across the metropolitan and outer suburbs of Adelaide.
Wellbeing SA chief executive Lyn Dean said the program will allow suitable patients to be cared for at home, where they can sleep in their own bed, while accessing the same care and support they would receive in a hospital.
"Calvary-Medibank has been selected through a tender process, and their extensive medical, nursing and allied health experience will ensure that they have the right skills to deliver hospital level services in the safety and comfort of home," said Dean.
Currently 1.3 per cent of health services delivered by all acute hospitals are at home. The My Home Hospital program is aimed at increasing this to almost per cent.
According to Calvary CEO Martin Bowles, “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Wellbeing SA, Medibank and acute and primary care providers to support quality care for public patients in the comfort of their homes."
He added, “Our new joint venture with Medibank enables both organisations to combine our expertise and experience to give more South Australian public-hospital patients the opportunity to receive services at home, as an alternative to going to hospital, when clinically appropriate.
“Our experience in the delivery of home care throughout our national network of hospitals and Community Care services is that some patients prefer to recover at home. We believe My Home Hospital is an example of the future of health care, offering patients more choice and providing a better integrated range of service delivery.
Medibank group executive of healthcare and strategy Dr Andrew Wilson said, “Medibank began as a health insurer and is transitioning into a broader healthcare company, giving people greater choice in how and where their care is delivered.
"Medibank expects increasing demand from Australians for in-home care as an alternative to hospital admission, which is why we employ more than 1,500 clinicians across our in-home care and telehealth businesses.
“In-home care is often more convenient and less stressful for patients, removing the need for additional or frequent trips to hospital. Patients in the My Home Hospital program will receive treatment in the familiarity of their own residence, with increased comfort levels for those going through what can be an extremely difficult time.
“We are proud to be working with Calvary to deliver My Home Hospital. Our people believe in putting patients first and providing quality care. Together we will give patients in South Australia greater choice in how their care is delivered.”
My Home Hospital will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the metropolitan and outer suburbs of Adelaide.
Patients can be referred to My Home Hospital via several pathways including directly from their GP, specialist or residential aged care facility. Patients may also be admitted directly from a hospital emergency department.
My Home Hospital patients will be assigned a care coordinator, who will work alongside them and their families or carers to develop a treatment plan.