The state government is expanding its program to help people waiting for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan to be discharged from hospital sooner if they are medically cleared.
The $39 million Pathways to Home program will help patients with a disability, including those in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, get home or into home-like accommodation while they await their permanent accommodation plans through NDIS.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said speeding up discharge times for patients with a disability not only benefited them, but freed up hospital beds, easing pressure on emergency departments and ambulances.
In a statement, the government said the initiative will open up space for hundreds of patients.
“Following a successful pilot in metropolitan Melbourne which saw more than 3000 hospital bed days freed up, the program will expand into regional Victoria for the first time – helping more people with a disability regain their independence and spend more time with their families,” the government said.
The government said delayed discharge times for patients with a disability rose to an average wait of five months.
In alphabetical order, the expanded program will now be available through:
• Albury Wodonga Health
• Alfred Health
• Austin Health
• Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
• Barwon Health
• Bendigo Health
• Calvary Health Care
• Castlemaine Health (Dhelkaya)
• Eastern Health
• Melbourne Health
• Mercy Health
• Mildura Base Hospital
• Monash Health
• Northeast Health Wangaratta
• Northern Health
• Peninsula Health
• The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
• The Royal Children’s Hospital
• St. Vincent’s Health
• Western Health
The government said the program operates alongside The Summer Foundation, which works in partnership with health services and disability providers to ensure appropriate transitional accommodation is available.
