Trials to ease the pressure on EDs sees people treated at home

Patients dubbed “frequent flyers” for their frequent appearance et EDs could soon be treated at home under three pilot programs aimed at solving hospital congestion.

Three pilot programs to ease the strain on crowded hospital emergency departments are already seeing dozens of people who might otherwise go to EDs instead being treated by community care, including GPs.

In the first trial, now running in the northern suburbs, 66 patients who would otherwise have presented at EDs being cared for by community services including in their own homes.

This number is expected to reach more than 100 over the five-week trial.

Staff at hospitals such as the Lyell McEwin in the northern suburbs say some patients dubbed “frequent flyers” regularly present at EDs for relatively minor issues, adding to pressure which has led to chronic ambulance ramping.

In some cases, early intervention would have prevented the need for hospital care.

A trial of a similar plan in the southern suburbs is now in progress and one is planned for central Adelaide.

Health services including GPs, the Royal District Nursing Service and pharmacists are working to stay in touch with vulnerable people to ensure they get appropriate care including in their own homes before needing hospital care.

If the pilot plans are successful they will be extended as the winter surge in demand on EDs looms.