The Department of Health is bringing health services closer to the patient’s preferred place of care - their home - with the launch of the Launceston General Hospital’s (LGH) Hospital In The Home – North service.
Having launched on 30 April 2024, Hospital In The Home – North is an acute treatment in the home service providing care that is flexible, responsive, and tailored to the individual's needs while also freeing up beds at the LGH.
The Northern service is a key initiative in expanding access to safe, in-home care, and optimising patient flow within the health system.
Care is provided by a highly skilled interdisciplinary healthcare team comprising of Allied Health, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Specialist staff with the service initially providing four virtual beds, expanding to eleven beds by 31 May 2024.
The establishment of Hospital In The Home – North is driven by consumer preference to receive care at home when clinically appropriate and the need to expand service delivery options to meet future demand for health care.
Launching the Northern service is an important part of increasing hospital capacity and improving patient flow throughout the health system through treating appropriate patients in the home when clinically safe to do so.
The service provides a single point of referral and a single point of contact for patients, carers, families, and health care providers.
Care is provided 7-days a week between the hours of 7:30am - 10:30pm, with care provided outside of these hours via the Care@home clinical team.
Patients, or their families/carers, may contact the service at any time on a 24/7 basis if they feel unwell, have new or changing symptoms, or if they have any concerns or questions.
For more information about the LGH Hospital In The Home service, please visit Hospital in the Home North Fact Sheet | Tasmanian Department of Health.