The South Australian government has announced plans to address the pressing issue of aged care patients stuck in hospitals by searching for a 25-bed facility to house such patients, pregnant mothers, and others. The current situation has led to a doubling of the number of older individuals needing aged care being held up in hospitals over the past year and a half.
In response to the escalating problem of delayed hospital discharges for aged care patients, the government is considering temporary solutions, such as utilizing hotel rooms to house aged care patients. The initiative aims to not only free up beds in public hospitals for more critical cases but also to mitigate the strain on the healthcare system caused by blockages in the aged care sector.
The Health Minister expressed concerns over hospital overcrowding, ambulance ramping, and the impact on elective surgeries in South Australia's public health system. With a code yellow in effect since May and a record high ambulance ramping hours in July, the government is taking action to address the immediate challenges faced by the healthcare system. The investment in a sub-acute health facility is seen as a cost-effective measure to create capacity within hospitals and ensure timely care for patients in need.