Service to reduce hospital pressure in Victoria

A free health service, launched by Australia’s leading in-home care specialist Silverchain, aims to improve access to health services while reducing pressures on local hospitals in the Frankston and Greater Dandenong areas.

The new Care Coordination Support Service will be offered in the City of Frankston and City of Greater Dandenong, in collaboration with GPs, to support the wellbeing of eligible people, reduce presentations at emergency departments and decrease preventable hospital admissions, particularly after hours.

The service is being supported by funding from the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN), through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.

Silverchain’s Executive Director Victoria Carolyn Bell said the service was being offered through referrals from GPs and pharmacists for adults in the Frankston and Greater Dandenong area who had two or more chronic conditions and who were at risk of hospitalisation or presentation at an Emergency Department for non-critical conditions.

The service is also available for high risk and vulnerable people in the community who may have health conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, asthma, arthritis or back issues.

Ms Bell said that under the new service clinicians helped clients to access services as part of their care plans, as well as supporting their health journey.

“This Care Coordination Support Service is about empowering people, so they have the confidence and ability to play a more proactive role in managing their condition,” Ms Bell said.

“We will work in partnership with eligible patients to provide care coordination depending on their health care needs, for up to three months.”

Ms Bell said Silverchain’s service would complement the care and clinical services offered by local GPs and pharmacies.

“The new service is just one way in which Silverchain is able to help improve health outcomes for Australians and also reduce pressures on hospitals,” Ms Bell said.

For enquiries about the new service, you can contact Silverchain on 1300 650 803.