Care To Come Home: CaTCH
19 August 2014 Last updated:
26 September 2014
Care To Come Home (CaTCH) – Avoidable Admissions
By Lachlan Health Service, Western NSW Local Health DistrictSummary
A new Model of Care is being introduced at Lachlan Health Service (LHS) – Forbes and Parkes. Hospital in the Home (HITH) provides a choice of care at home or at a daily clinic instead of being admitted to hospital. This will provide quality care with less disruption for a smooth patient journey.
Download a poster about this project from the Centre for Healthcare Redesign graduation, August 2014.

Aim
To deliver a new program allowing patients the choice of being cared for at home or through a day clinic with a shared care arrangement with the admitting doctor.
Benefits
- Improved patient experience and health outcomes
- Providing people who may have previously been admitted to hospital with the opportunity to receive care in their home or in a day clinic
- Reducing avoidable hospital admissions
- Reduction in cost per capita.
Project status
Pilot commenced August 2014.
Background
Western NSW LHD is working to reduce avoidable hospital admissions, with LHS given a reduction target of 0.8% for the 2013/2014 period. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the largest avoidable admission category.
LHS Redevelopment provides the opportunity to co-locate acute, community and allied health services in Forbes and Parkes. Contemporary models of care can result in better health outcomes, improved patient/carer experience and a reduction in cost per capita. It also contributes to the Local Health District Integrated Care Strategy.
Solutions implemented
- Shared Care Model of Hospital in the Home
- Patient Management Plans/COPD Guidelines and Action Plans.
Results
- Auditing of community based nurses with COPD Patient Management Plans. An increase from 28% to 67% of management plans completed
- Commencement of a Model of Care trial on 4 August 2014
- Increase in referrals from General Practitioners (GPs) / Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs).
Lessons learnt
- Organisational climate has impacted on the project, due to the momentum of the local health service redevelopment
- Staff acknowledgement of the positive impact of acute and community services working together to improve the patient experience
- Integration of acute and community based services in rural health care setting with limited resources.
Implementation sites
A pilot project commenced in Parkes in August 2014. Future expansion of the project to Forbes by September 2015.
Partnerships
NSW Ministry of Health, Local GPs/VMOs, WNSW LHD Redesign and Innovation Leaders.Reference
NSW Health. (2013). NSW Hospital in the Home (HITH) Guideline: GL2013_006.
Contact
Lachlan Health Service Manager, Community Based Nurses
Western NSW Local Health District
Phone: 0409 246 927
Lachlan Health Service Redevelopment Project Officer/Change Manager
Western NSW Local Health District
Phone: 0427 337 560
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