There are currently 273 patients in South Australian hospitals who have been assessed as ready to be discharged, but are unable to leave hospital due to the unavailability of an aged care bed or suitable accommodation in the community.
Of those, 209 have had their ACAT assessment, and are awaiting an aged care bed.
In an effort to find accommodation for patients stuck in a hospital bed, the South Australian (SA) Government is seeking Expressions of Interest from operators, including aged care operators, that can provide sub-acute beds for patients to receive care outside the acute hospital system. The operator will be expected to provide rooms with amenities such as a bed, toilet, shower and TV.
The SA Government wants the beds operational by October and to operate for at least 12 months until additional public hospital beds are available.
The beds "could be available at hotels and former health and aged care facilities," said SA Department of Health and Wellbeing Chief Executive Dr Robyn Lawrence.
Infinite Care has been developing short-term aged care accommodation in South Australia and Queensland for older people in hospital ready to be discharged but unable to leave because of a lack of available aged care beds.
