Amplar Health to Provide Hotel-Based Transition Care in South Australia
For the first time in South Australia, a city hotel will provide an innovative new location for hospital patients who no longer require acute care, allowing them to rest and recover in comfort while still receiving the clinical support they need. This pioneering model will initially serve up to 24 patients who will be relocated from metropolitan hospitals to the Pullman Adelaide hotel, offering a unique and supportive environment for post-acute care.
The program, known as the Transition Care Service, is delivered by Amplar Health in collaboration with SA Health and the Pullman Adelaide. It is designed for a variety of patients, including those who are medically stable but still need clinical care and other forms of support as they wait for access to community or aged care accommodations, rehabilitation, or home support. The service also caters to post-operative patients who no longer require acute hospital care and those who need assistance while their primary caregiver is in hospital.
Rob Read, the Chief Executive of Amplar Health, expressed the organization’s pride in partnering with SA Health to offer this innovative service. “We’re proud to be partnering with SA Health to deliver this innovative service, which will benefit both patients and South Australia’s hospitals. If a patient no longer requires acute care in hospital, this new service is the perfect place for them to recover with the support and clinical care suited to their needs,” he said.
The Transition Care Service is designed to support patients in a comfortable hotel setting while ensuring they continue to receive necessary care. Amplar Health’s medical and nursing staff will be on-site at the Pullman Adelaide to oversee patient care, with access to allied health professionals and specialists when required. The new service will begin taking patients in February, and its initial arrangement with SA Health, Amplar Health Home Hospital, and the Pullman Adelaide will be for a 12-month period. If successful, the program could potentially be expanded to other locations.
South Australia’s Minister for Health and Wellbeing, The Hon. Chris Picton, highlighted the broader effort to expand the state’s healthcare system and reduce pressure on its hospitals. “We’re building a bigger health system with more than 600 new beds, over 690 additional nurses, 320 more doctors, and a record $7 billion investment in new health infrastructure. New beds take time to build, and our hospitals continue to experience high demand. We’re looking at every opportunity to safely expand our bed capacity, reduce pressure on our emergency departments, and provide patients with access to innovative, high-quality care,” he said.
Dr. Robyn Lawrence, Chief Executive of SA Health, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the success of similar models in other parts of Australia and internationally. “This model of care has proven to be very successful in Queensland and internationally. The way healthcare is being delivered around the world is changing, and with demand in South Australia and around Australia continuing to increase, we need to continue looking at new ways to care for our communities,” she said.
Dr. Lawrence also underscored the positive impact of the new arrangement on hospital capacity. “This arrangement will provide a safe environment for the many patients we have in our hospitals who no longer require acute care. Patients waiting for residential aged care placements will be appropriately looked after by nurses and healthcare professionals in comfort, and more hospital beds will be available for those who need them most.”
The collaboration between Amplar Health, SA Health, and the Pullman Adelaide represents a creative solution to the ongoing challenges of hospital capacity in South Australia. The transition of patients from acute care to a more comfortable, hotel-based setting provides not only a more appropriate environment for their recovery but also helps alleviate pressure on busy hospital systems. This model allows for greater flexibility in the way healthcare is delivered, ensuring that hospital beds are available for patients in urgent need of acute care while still providing support for those in less critical conditions.
At a press conference announcing the partnership, Mr. Read further emphasized the importance of transitioning healthcare delivery to meet growing demand. “At Amplar Health, we believe there is a need for a ‘health transition,’ to change the way healthcare is delivered to increase capacity in the system and look after patients where they feel most comfortable. This new model not only provides a more comfortable setting for patients but also helps ensure that the hospital system is not overwhelmed by patients who no longer need acute care,” he said.
The success of the Transition Care Service in South Australia could pave the way for similar initiatives in other regions of the country. By utilizing non-traditional settings, such as hotels, for post-acute care, healthcare systems can provide more flexible and efficient services, while also improving the overall patient experience.
This innovative partnership is part of a broader effort to enhance South Australia’s healthcare system by exploring new ways to manage hospital capacity, reduce wait times, and ensure that patients receive the care they need in the most appropriate setting. As demand for healthcare services continues to rise, initiatives like the Transition Care Service offer a promising solution to the challenges faced by hospitals and patients alike.
The program’s ability to provide a comfortable, supportive environment for recovering patients, combined with the expertise of medical professionals, is an exciting development in healthcare delivery. As it continues to grow, it may serve as a model for future healthcare solutions across Australia and beyond.
