New hospital-at-home service announced for Kingaroy patients

Darling Downs Health has expanded its Hospital in the Home program to Kingaroy, allowing rural patients to receive 24-hour medical care without leaving their homes.

Rural patients in the South Burnett suffering with conditions that would normally require hospital admission will soon be able to receive high quality care in the comfort of their own homes.

South Burnett patients suffering conditions that would normally require hospital admission will soon be able to receive high quality care in the comfort of their own homes.

Darling Downs Health are expanding their Hospital in the Home program, with the Kingaroy service to be rolled out next month.

The program allows eligible patients to be treated or monitored in their own homes for conditions or injuries that would otherwise require admission to hospital.

DDH chief executive, Annette Scott, said the expansion allows rural and regional patients “equity of access”, and benefits rural hospitals by reducing pressure on staff and freeing up beds for more critically ill people.

Marsha Clark with Warwick Home in the Hospital patient, Marjorie Burley. Photo: Darling Downs Health Media and Communications

The first patient to be treated under the new program, 92-year-old Marjorie Burley from the Warwick area, said service helped support her recovery at home from a chronic injury.

“I’ve been getting the best treatment any patient could ever get,” Ms Burley said.

“The staff have been lovely and kind. I could not wish for any better treatment.”

The program will operate 24 hours-a-day, like a hospital ward, with nurses visiting patients daily at home.

To be eligible for the program, patients need to be medically stable, have a fixed address, a working phone, a safe home environment, and to live within 50 km of Dalby, Warwick, or Kingaroy.