Residents in Adelaide’s northern and southern suburbs with complex and enduring mental illness can now get hospital-level care at home. The significant expansion of the Mental Health Hospital in the Home program is thanks to the State Government, who invested over $12 million to widen the program’s reach to the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) and Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN).
22 new beds are now available, with 12 in the north and ten in the south for patients experiencing acute psychiatric episodes. They will now receive personalised care from professionals including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and pharmacists, without leaving their homes. Normally, patients are supported for about two weeks, receiving daily visits from these professionals.
Chris Picton, the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, commented on the expansion, highlighting the importance of providing care in a comfortable and familiar environment.
“We know that hospital emergency departments can be an overwhelming experience for people going through emotional distress or a mental health crisis,” Mr. Picton said.
“Therefore, it’s crucial to offer healthcare that not only meets clinical needs but also supports patients’ overall well-being.”
He further emphasised the benefits of home-based care saying that it not only delivers better outcomes but is also a more comfortable option for patients.
“The success of the service at CALHN demonstrates that there are effective alternatives to hospital care, and we are pleased to extend this service to more residents in the northern and southern regions,” he added.
Since its inception in January 2021 at the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, the program has shown substantial success. More than 94% of the patients who accessed the service have avoided readmission to hospital. On average, the program admits 16 patients each month, and the average patient stays for about 15 days.
Feedback from both patients and carers has been overwhelmingly positive. Post-admission surveys indicate that 96% of patients and 97% of carers responded positively to the care received.
Dr. Sanmuganatham Sujeeve, Divisional Director (Medical) Mental Health at NALHN, stressed the mental and emotional advantages of home care.
“For some individuals needing support with mental health, seeking treatment in a hospital or clinic can be stigmatising or in some instances even add to the trauma they are experiencing,” he said.
Dulcey Kayes, Co-Director of Mental Health Services at SALHN, also supports the initiative. She says that personalised acute mental health care in a familiar setting helps patients to feel empowered and valued. This approach also facilitates the involvement of the patient’s loved ones, which is essential for their recovery process.
Referrals to this service can come from various sources including emergency departments, inpatient units, community teams, and SAPOL.
This expanded service offering is expected to greatly benefit individuals facing mental health challenges, allowing them to receive high-quality care in the stability and comfort of their own homes.
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