The Wellbeing SA service, delivered in partnership with Calvary and Medibank, is available for treatment for conditions such as kidney or respiratory infections, cellulitis and deep-vein thrombosis.

My Home Hospital uses remote monitoring technology to enable our medical, nursing and allied health team to stay in touch with patients at any time, and to track their observations such as pulse, temperature and blood pressure in real time.

An article recently published in the Adelaide Advertiser* features one or the first patients, Brenton Richardson.

Brenton has the skin condition cellulitis, which first appeared about five years ago and has received hospital treatment for it.

When it recently flared up in his leg and an ambulance took him to Flinders Medical Centre, he was told he was eligible to receive treatment including an intravenous drip and medications in his Edwardstown home.

GPs and specialists can now refer public patients with specific health conditions to the free program.

“After a couple of days at FMC, they sent me home and told me I could get treatment at home, which has been excellent,” Mr Richardson, 51, said.

“It’s much better than being in hospital and it also frees up their beds, which must be a good thing. I’d much rather be at home than in hospital.”

The rollout follows three pilot programs that treated hundreds of people, easing pressure on busy hospital EDs.

Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade said patients did not always have to be physically in hospital to receive the care they need.

Wellbeing SA Chief Executive, Lyn Dean, said this new service – delivered in partnership with Calvary and Medibank – is available for a range of treatments where in-home care is considered appropriate.

“People who need treatment for conditions such as kidney or respiratory infections, cellulitis or deep vein thrombosis could be eligible for the program.

“During treatment, My Home Hospital doctors and nurses will visit patients in their home as required to provide the care they need in person and via video call.

“Using remote monitoring technology, doctors and nurses will also be able to stay in touch with patients at any time and track clinical observations such as blood pressure, pulse and temperature in real time.”