Post Acute Care
Post Acute Care (PAC) is located in the Community Services building at the rear of the hospital PAC is a Victorian Department of Human Services funded program for patients admitted to public hospitals.The aim of the program is to shorten the length of time that patients need to stay in hospital and to prevent unplanned readmissions.
This is done by arranging appropriate support and services for those who need extra assistance to return home.
What services are available?
| Home Care | assistance with domestic cleaning |
| Personal Care |
assistance with personal hygiene. To receive this service the District Nurse will carry out a personal care assessment |
| Personal Assistance |
assistance with shopping, attending medical or health related appointments |
| Respite Care | provision of a qualified worker to relieve a carer for short periods |
| Transport | assistance with transport to medical or health related appointments |
| Nursing Care | visits from qualified registered nurses to assist with wound care, medication and other nursing-related care. To receive this service you will need a nursing assessment. This usually takes place prior to leaving hospital |
| Food Service | in exceptional cases, the Care coordinator may explore the option of providing meals. |
| Allied Health Services | in some cases, the program can arrange for allied health services, such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy. This is a limited service. |
How do I arrange Post Acute Care?
A program coordinator will visit you in Hospital, to talk to you about your needs and confirm that you are eligible for the program. After this assessment, the program coordinator will arrange for the services you need. A program coordinator will also contact you once you are home to discuss how you are going.
Am I eligible for Post Acute Care?
To be eligible to receive Post Acute Care services you must:
- be an inpatient in a Victorian public hospital. This includes patients admitted for same-day procedures and emergency patients.
- be assessed by a Care Coordinator
- sign a consent form to receive the services
- agree to information about you being collected and sent to the Department of Human Services so they can evaluate and monitor the program. The information sent will not include personal details such as name, address or date of birth.
How much does this cost?
Post Acute Care is a free service
Referrals
Referrals to be made via Connecting Care:
https://www.connectingcare.com/Home/Provider?hsdSiteID=27626&siteId=1562®ion=vicpcp
