Hospital in the Home

Hospital in the Home (HITH) service provides patients with the ability to receive acute inpatient care in the comfort of their own home, away from a hospital setting.

Eligible patients from Sir Charles Gardner (SCGH) and Osborne Park Hospitals can have their care provided at home, following clinical assessment by the SCGH medical, nursing, allied health and pharmacy teams.

The HITH service is accessible seven days a week, from 7am to 9.30pm with overnight telephone support.

Who is the HITH team?

The service consists of a multidisciplinary team of health professionals who will support a patient's treatment requirements.

This includes hospital doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians and speech pathologist.

How does HITH work?

When you attend SCGH, if the clinical team determine that your condition and treatment plan meet the requirements to have your care provided at home, you have the option to be referred to the HITH team.

After a referral is made, a doctor and a nurse from the service will contact you to plan your treatment in collaboration with your hospital treating team to ensure you receive the same standard of safe, quality hospital care you need to support your recovery.

As a HITH patient you will remain an inpatient of the hospital, though your care will be provided by hospital-employed staff in your home (place of residence).

This means that the hospital team will manage and support your care during your admission at home rather than needing to go to your GP.

What are the benefits?

The service benefits eligible patients by:

• Providing acute inpatient level care in a patient's home
• Allowing patients to remain close to their family and / or carers, and receive treatment in a familiar home environment
• Reducing risk of hospital acquired complications

How do patients receive care?

HITH patients will be visited by members of the multidisciplinary team each day and may be seen by nurses up to twice daily if required.

The team will provide treatment and monitor a patient’s condition while enabling the patient to remain close to their family in a familiar environment.

A clinician from the HITH team will call you prior to your visit in your home and deliver suitable care to support your recovery. Home visits are usually conducted between 7.30am and 2pm, afternoon visits are concluded by 6.30pm, seven days a week including public holidays.

If you require further investigations, such as medical imaging or specialised assessment, you may be asked to attend the HITH clinical area at the SCGH, C block to have these completed.

Patients will receive treatment and monitoring of their condition until they are discharged.

What if I have medical concerns?

The HITH service is accessible seven days a week, from 7am to 9.30pm with overnight telephone support if you have any urgent concerns relating to your care.

For urgent matters, HITH patients can call 1300 884 421 to speak to a nurse for advice on the management of their condition (support available 24 hours per day).

In an emergency

If you have a life-threatening medical condition, call 000 and request an ambulance.