Hotel health service helping patients leave hospital

South Australia’s inaugural out-of-hospital health service at a city hotel has helped dozens of patients leave hospital since its launch earlier this year, while freeing up beds for others.

Eighty hospital patients who no longer required in hospital acute care have used the Transition Care Service at the Pullman Adelaide since it opened just over two months ago, with 55 patients discharged.

The Transition Care Service is a joint collaboration between SA Health, Amplar Health Home Hospital, and the Pullman Adelaide and provides a base for patients who no longer require hospital care to transition to a more appropriate service.

Patients are selected based on their clinical needs, and are monitored by nurses and medical practitioners providing appropriate patient care before transitioning home or to an appropriate long-term facility such as an aged care home.

One patient spent more than 200 days in hospital while waiting for an appropriate facility before being transferred to the Transition Care Service.

South Australia’s Minister for Health and Wellbeing The Hon. Chris Picton said, “In just the first 10 weeks, we’ve seen how successful a service like this one can be in shifting patients out of hospital who no longer need to be there. It’s better for the patient and the health system.” He added, “Eighty patients have used this service in just over two months. That’s 80 hospital beds in metropolitan Adelaide freed up for patients who needed hospital-level care.”

Amplar Health Home Hospital CEO, Sarah McRae echoed the Minister’s comments at a press conference hosted at the Pullman today, “We’re very pleased with the early success of the Transition Care Service, which has already supported dozens of patients successfully transition out of hospital.”

This service not only helps ease pressure on South Australian hospitals but also provides a more appropriate and comfortable environment for patients to continue their recovery once they no longer require acute care.

"It’s an innovative model that exemplifies the health transition – how health services are evolving to better meet patient needs – delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

“Patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to continue delivering high-quality care through this progressive and patient-focused approach.”