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Providing healthcare at home

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) is helping patients stay at home while
receiving hospital standard clinical care through its new model of care, Hospital in the
Home (HITH).

HITH launched in July 2022, allowing suitable patients to receive high quality, acute
care from the comfort of their own home while freeing up hospital beds for others.

Patients are admitted into the system by a medical officer and receive daily clinical
care and support in their home both face to face and virtually until they are well
enough to be discharged from care.

“Providing this option for patients who are suitable to be treated at home saves the
patient an unnecessary stay in hospital and makes sure we have beds available for
patients who need to be in hospital for their care,” HITH Program Manager Emma
Hornsby said.

“Some of the benefits of HITH include the ability for patients to remain in the comfort
of their own home; eating their own food and sleeping in their own bed, having
visitors at any time rather than following the hospital schedule,” she said.

To date more than 55 patients have received care through HITH and have been
overwhelmingly happy.

Stephen Norcross of Kariong was one of the first patients admitted through the HITH
model.

Mr Norcross received treatment for a severely infected finger that had spread to his
tendon and bone and would usually require a lengthy stay in hospital.

“I was anxious about being in hospital for a long time because I had no one to care
for my dogs,” said Mr Norcross.

“Before I knew about Hospital in the Home, I seriously considered asking the surgeon
to amputate my finger so I could get home to look after them.”

HITH allowed Mr Norcross to receive high dose antibiotics and specialised wound
dressings in his home so he could continue to care for his pets, while still receiving
the hospital treatment he needed.

“It was a big relief to be able to be at home for my treatment. I was seen daily by a
nurse and weekly by a doctor. I’m very grateful,” Mr Norcross said.

HITH is one of a number of models of care available through our Central Coast
Health @ Home program which also includes the COVID Community Support Team
and Virtual Care.

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