A specialist unit at Blacktown Hospital emergency department for patients admitted from residential aged care now sees 90% of patients return to their aged care home within 24 hours, down from an average stay of seven to 10 days previously.
The Integrated Geriatric Emergency Medicine (iGEM) unit creates an environment more appropriate for older patients, including those with dementia, with low noise levels and calming music, and higher nurse-to-patient ratios. It also has senior clinicians available who can engage with family and carers about treatment decisions.
The initiative at the hospital, 35km west of Sydney's CBD, has also led to a lower number of falls.
In the seven months between 1 July 2024 and 30 January 2025, more than 600 patients passed through iGEM.
NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park said, “Thanks to this initiative at Blacktown Hospital, they’re spending less time in hospitals, and more time in a comfortable home environment.
“That’s better for them and it’s better for the health system.”
As of 29 January 2025, there were 455 patients in NSW public hospitals waiting for an aged care bed, with the average wait time for discharge 42 days beyond the expected discharge date. Initiates such as iGEM free up emergency beds.
