A new ‘hospital in the home’ service is helping more children with less severe respiratory illnesses receive medical care from the comfort of their own beds.
Announcing the WCH@Home inpatient unit, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) said the service was run by a specialised team of doctors, nurses and general practitioners, and could provide virtual care and in-home nursing for children who had been assessed at the hospital with mild to moderate symptoms.
“WCH@Home not only helps to provide safe and quality care in the comfort of home, but the team also supports the transition to this new environment by supplying families with any required medication, equipment, and necessary education,” the WCH said.
The Hospital said the seven-day service was available to children aged 12 weeks to 17 years old who would otherwise be admitted to an inpatient ward, with capacity for up to 10 patients at any one time.
“Children can be referred to the service after being assessed at the Paediatric Emergency Department or as an existing inpatient, and must meet criteria that ensures the in-home model of care is appropriate for their physical and social needs,” it said.
“It combines our nation leading virtual care platform with in-home visits from skilled paediatric nurses.
“Providing safe and quality care in a child’s own home allows a child and their family to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own environment, reduces strain on Emergency Departments and keeps our hospital beds available for the sickest children.”
The WCH said there was no additional cost to families and carers for WCH@Home patients.
“The team will also support your child’s transition to the service, including supplying any required medication and equipment,” it said.
