COVID Care at Home for Western Australians who need it
Telehealth
WA COVID Care at Home is being delivered by a joint venture between Calvary and Medibank. This media release was issued by the WA Minister for Health on Friday 28 January 2022.
Western Australian Government Media Release (Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA - Minister for Health)
Virtual monitoring of COVID-19 patients in their homes
WA COVID CARE at Home patients receive regular contact from a healthcare team
Similar programs operating interstate and overseas
The McGowan Government will soon launch WA COVID Care at Home, which will deliver home monitoring care for COVID-positive people.
Similar programs operating interstate and overseas have successfully supported people in their homes through their period of home isolation.
Due to the high levels of COVID-19 vaccination in the community, it is expected that most people will experience mild symptoms and will be able to recover in their homes.
WA COVID Care at Home, which will launch on Monday January 31, 2022, will enrol COVID-positive patients based on risk factors such as age, vaccination status, severity of symptoms, medical history and social considerations.
People will need to complete a short registration form, available on the HealthyWA website.
If needed, another person can complete this form on their behalf.
Responses will help determine whether a person can care for themselves at home with their GP's support or would benefit from the additional monitoring of WA COVID Care at Home.
WA COVID Care at Home patients will receive regular contact from the healthcare team to check their vital health signs and welfare. They will also monitor their general wellbeing. This contact could be by phone and telehealth.
Patients will receive information outlining the health supports and how the program operates.
WA Health has engaged experienced providers Calvary and Medibank, who, via a joint venture, are combining their clinical and telehealth experience to deliver services to COVID positive patients, as they have already done in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"It is likely COVID-19 cases will increase in WA over the coming months, but with about 90 per cent of the WA population older than 12 years already double-dose vaccinated, most people will not need hospital care.
"WA COVID Care at Home will enable people to get the care they need while remaining in the comfort of their own homes.
"Through daily contact, the healthcare team will assess each patient's physical, mental and emotional wellness.
"If they have concerns, there are processes to escalate the patient for more acute care. If someone needs hospital care, that is what they will get."
