More patients at QEII are now able to head home from hospital sooner thanks to the introduction of Allied Health coverage on Saturdays and Sundays.
It has resulted in an increase of weekend discharges and admissions by around 40 per cent over the past few months, allowing patients to recover in the comfort of their own home.
The GEMRHITH initiative was launched in 2019 and is a geriatrician-led multidisciplinary service which provides hospital avoidance and early discharge referral pathways.
Geriatrician Dr Sin Wei Choy said while it’s a fantastic support program, until recently allied health pathways were only available on weekdays.
“A patient who previously wasn’t suitable for discharge on the weekend can now be sent home due to the availability of allied health coverage.
“We understand that for older people in particular, it’s important they get back to a familiar environment as soon as clinically appropriate. This has now been made possible because of weekend staffing and home visits, funded by the Putting Patients First program.
“It’s a great outcome. As a team we’re very excited to be able to service our patients even better and help decrease the average hospital length of stay,” she said.
The GEMRHITH model of care currently includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy coverage on the weekend, with hopes of further expansion in the future.