Pilot to free up hospital beds and address elective surgery wait times

MedTech News: Patients preparing for or recuperating from surgery will be cared for in a quiet, home-like environment as part of a NSW pilot based on overseas models of excellence in patient care.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said a trial by Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital will enable some patients to be transferred to a nearby Surgery Support Centre (SSC), allowing for quicker discharges from the ward.

“The NSW Government has invested almost $1 billion to reduce elective surgery wait times that were delayed due to the pandemic response,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Similar centres overseas have been a huge success, helping hospitals to get more surgery done while also offering patients a quieter place to recuperate.” 

The Surgery Support Centre, close to the RPA hospital, provides one and two-bedroom serviced apartments staffed by a specialty community nursing team. A medically led, virtual multi-disciplinary team is available to provide 24/7 care and patients can be easily transferred to and from the hospital for appointments with specialists.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the rooms, with their own ensuite, living area and balcony, will be particularly beneficial for patients from regional areas, who may want someone to stay with them.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to provide the very best care to hospital patients and this first-of-a-kind centre for NSW offers the best of both worlds – a comfortable, home-like environment for patients that frees up beds for acute care services,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Not only are patients supported around the clock, but the accommodation can also provide a home away from home for their families and carers.”

Peter Linnegar, acting director of nursing at the centre said patients will be moved there for various reasons.

“When they don’t need an acute bed they can be here. Nursing staff on site can provide the intervention that is required, be it drain management, wound management, IV antibiotics,” he said.

However, opposition leader, Chris Minns found fault with the plan.

“This is just a trial at one hospital, they’re going to have to do a hell of a lot better than that. They are refusing to adopt safe staffing levels or increase paramedics,” he said.

Potential expansion of the trial is being assessed with plans underway to establish a similar centre at John Hunter Hospital.

The SSC is working with all 17 surgical specialties in RPA, as well as those public patients being cared for at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Sydney Day Surgery. The pilot is expected to run until March.