Paramedics will be able to make the call on home treatment for the first time

For the first time, ambulance officers will be able to make the call on treating patients at home to tackle ballooning emergency department numbers.

Ambulance officers will be given new powers to decide if patients can be treated in their homes, instead of a hospital, under an expanded scheme to ease pressure on the state’s emergency departments.

The My Home Hospital program, launched in January, provides constant remote monitoring of a patient’s vital signs – such as pulse, temperature and blood pressure – in between clinician visits.

Assessments were originally made by a GP, medical specialist, nurse or hospital team member.

Health Minister Stephen Wade will announce on Monday that ambulance paramedics, who are trained to provide many of the treatments allowed by doctors, will now also have the authority to make a decision about home care.

Examples of illnesses which would be eligible to be treated in a person’s home include kidney or respiratory infections, cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis.

Mr Wade said, in the three months since the scheme was launched, doctors and nurses had identified 150 patients who were better treated in the comfort of their homes, avoiding many repeat visits to hospitals.

“With almost 90 per cent of these patients having been referred by our metropolitan hospitals, welcoming referrals from SA Ambulance Service is an exciting next step in the program,’’ he said.

The move comes amid a bitter industrial battle between the State Government and ambulance officers over staffing and equipment levels. Ambulance “ramping” at hospitals – caused when not enough beds are available – has led to a strain on the service.

South Australian paramedics and firefighters along with supporters protest on the steps of Parliament House in Adelaide, SA. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

The My Home Hospital scheme aims to offset an increase in SA emergency department presentations and hospital admissions, which are expected to rise by 24 per cent and 15 per cent respectively by 2029.

The Advertiser understands the involvement of paramedics in the decision making has been fast-tracked because of the current strain on hospital and ambulance infrastructure.

SA Ambulance CEO David Place said a My Home Hospital referral would not be made for a patient who needed a “lights and sirens ambulance response”.

“We have many patients who are suitable for My Home Hospital,” he said. “I’m sure they will welcome the opportunity to receive treatment in the familiar surroundings of home and avoid the stresses of being admitted via a hospital emergency department.

“We know that these patients are the most likely to face delays – and those delays impact not only the patient, but the whole of health.”

For more information see myhomehospital.sa.gov.au