The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services team caring for residents at the Palm Lake Care Bargara Short-stay Transition Unit
A dedicated 34-bed short-stay transition unit at Palm Lake Care Bargara is supporting older people awaiting admission to a residential aged care facility.
The partnership between Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) and Palm Lake Care Bargara will support the delivery of short-term care for older people who don’t require hospital care and are waiting for permanent residential aged care or transition back to their home.
WBHHS Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said this partnership is a positive step for both the health service and the community as it will free up more hospital beds for those who need acute care.
“Wide Bay is a popular area with a fast-growing population, and our health service is working hard to meet that increased need,” she said.
“We appreciate the collaboration with Palm Lake Care Bargara in finalising this mutually beneficial arrangement and their willingness to ensure there is dedicated service support to provide a safe and suitable environment for short-term residents.”
Ms Carroll praised the health service staff who were involved in getting the unit up and running and thanked them for going above and beyond to arrange smooth and safe transfers of patients to the unit.
“The transfer of patients was extremely well planned and executed and the entire team including operational, administration and nursing staff worked as a team.”
She also thanked other departments which organised information management, communications technology, staffing, building and maintenance services, and the contracts and finance teams.
“I also thank the nursing and executive leadership team for their strategic approach and direction as we've established this innovative model of care."
WBHHS nurse leaders Liz Manteit and Jerome Elson were instrumental in implementing clinical readiness in the unit to ensure 24/7 care, regular medical reviews and medication management with pharmacist oversight.
“Once eligible patients are transferred to the Palm Lake Care Bargara Short-stay Transition Unit from our hospitals, they are in the capable hands of a multidisciplinary team,” Liz said.
“Medical, nursing, clinical support and operational staff employed by WBHHS were placed in line with aged care requirements.
“Short stay residents receive ongoing care during a four-week turn-around period along with discharge planning for placement in a permanent residential aged care facility, or back to their home.
” The unit is quieter than a hospital and the residents benefit from having access to a diversional therapist to maintain cognitive and psychosocial wellbeing and staying in a more home-like environment which prepares them for permanent nursing home placement.”
Jerome added that beyond the already recognised benefits, this model of care has established an ongoing working relationship with Palm Lake Care Bargara, is strengthening networks with nursing homes and helping older people to access much-needed residential aged care beds.