Phillip Obah grateful for the Hospital in the Home service

A man who has had four heart attacks, diabetes, kidney disease and cataracts has spent life in a revolving door of hospital visits. But Phillip Obah has finally had a change in luck.

A man who has had four heart attacks, diabetes, kidney disease and cataracts has spent life in a revolving door of hospital visits.

But a new program meant Heatley man Phillip Obah was not admitted to hospital for a blood stream infection and is instead in the care of loved ones.

“My life has been a revolving door of going in and out of hospital these past few years, so I really didn’t want another hospital stay,” he said.

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“I needed antibiotics through a drip for two weeks so when I was told this could be done at home I was jumping for joy. Home is a place of healing for me so to be there while I recovered made a big difference to my wellness.”

The Hospital in the Home now sees Phillip visited by a nurse each day to check his dressings and antibiotics.

Hospital in the Home senior medical officer Dr Zafar Smith said the inpatient hospital team referred Phillip to the service, at which point the service took over his medical care.

Hospital in the Home patient Phillip Obah and Hospital in the Home nurse Becky Croxford.

“The biggest benefit of this kind of care is that people like Phillip get hospital-level care in their own environment,” he said. “This allows him to call the shots a bit more; he can get outside for fresh air easily and visitors can stay as long as he likes without being restricted by hospital routine.”

Phillip said being cared for through Hospital in the Home had relieved a lot of stress and pressure for him.

“At home I have my grandkids surrounding me, which just isn’t possible on a hospital ward,” he said.

Dr Smith said eligible patients could access Hospital in the Home by talking to their nurse or doctor on the ward or in the emergency department or asking their GP.

“Obviously some people require hospital-level care in a hospital but for some who require basic care such as intravenous antibiotics through a drip, it is possible to have this at home.

“People aged 12 and above can have access to Hospital in the Home and what we want people to do is ask their doctor if they are eligible.”

Originally published as Phillip Obah grateful for the Hospital in the Home service