STAFF WRITER
As of June 30 this year, there were 63 stranded patients waiting for Commonwealth aged care and NDIS placements in hospitals across Northern NSW.
This includes three patients at Casino Memorial Hospital.
The numbers for some but not all of the hospitals are:
- 18 patients in Tweed Valley Hospital
- 8 patients in Grafton Base Hospital
- 7 patients in Ballina District Hospital
- 5 patients in Murwillumbah District Hospital
- 4 patients in Lismore Base Hospital
No stranded patients were listed at Kyogle or Bonalbo hospitals.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said the number of people waiting for Commonwealth aged care and NDIS placements stranded in NSW hospitals is growing at an unprecedented and unsustainable level.
“In Northern NSW, this means more than 60 beds in NSW public hospitals cannot be used as a result,” Mr Park said.
“Waiting indefinitely in a hospital is not good for patient mobility, recovery or quality of life. These people are more than statistics, and they deserve so much better.”
In response, an Aged Care Response Package of $35.7million has been announced by the State Government to deliver relief for older people experiencing discharge delays.
The plan is to expand services helping older people remain at home, reducing avoidable hospital presentations and admissions.
These initiatives include:
- Expanding aged care outreach services to provide short-term multidisciplinary care in the home to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations.
- Rolling out virtual specialist geriatric care which delivers support to people aged 65 years and over at home.
Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “Right now, our local health staff are providing dedicated care to 63 patients who are transitioning into aged care and NDIS support.”
“By expanding local initiatives like virtual geriatric care and home outreach, we’re helping more local seniors stay healthy, independent, and supported right at home – where they want to be,” she said.