17 December 2008

Community-based approach for hospitals and patients

NSW Minister for Health John Della Bosca, said today that hospitals across the State were increasingly using community-based strategies to support patients, their families and carers by bringing their health care to them at home.

Mr Della Bosca said the new strategy was based on the success of a number of pilot projects in a range of hospitals which revealed a clear preference for home-based care and support by patients, their families and carers.

“The Acute Care Taskforce, comprised of senior clinicians, including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals – working in our hospitals and in the community across NSW – recommended a home-based model about two years ago,” the Minister said.

“There is now strong evidence that people with a range of clinical conditions do better when they are able to be treated in their own homes or non-hospital settings.

“For example, people suffering bronchitis and asthma, when they are treated in a home setting, can avoid the stress of admission to hospital, experience a speedier recovery in home surroundings and assistance from their GPs.

“It has been estimated about 25,000 people a year across NSW will be able to benefit from having access to the home based care and the additional community support programs.

“Community care packages are only considered where there are appropriate services available.

“In addition to medical care by their GP and other specialists, these services can include home visits from community nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals and home help support.

“This is about clinical-based judgements and delivering better patient care - the decision is made locally by the treating clinician and is based on their experience and knowledge of a patient’s condition,” Mr Della Bosca said.

NSW Health has identified a range of medical conditions where community-based approaches can be considered, including:

• Pneumonia,
• Bronchitis,
• Asthma
• Urinary tract infections
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Skin infections
• Muscle sprains

“Reducing the need to admit patients to acute care beds by providing services in the community and ideally at home will free up more beds for people with chronic conditions,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“With an ageing and growing population, we need to find more appropriate ways of providing the health care that people need in the right settings.

“This program gives both patients and their doctors more options and a greater say in the way their needs are met”, the Minister said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au