Gippsland Southern Health Service introduces Transition Care program

A NEW program at Korumburra is preparing people to return home after major stays in hospital.

The Transition Care Program at Gippsland Southern Health Service’s Korumburra Hospital, in partnership with Latrobe Regional Hospital, is bringing a new style of specialised care for older residents in the area.

The program started this week and is already helping its first patient in his recovery from a joint operation.

Korumburra campus director of nursing Cat Chung said the Transition Care Program (TCP) provides short-term specialised care for older adults to assist recovery after a hospital stay.  

“TCP can last for up to 12 weeks and helps individuals regain independence and confidence, which can avoid longer term care services,” Ms Chung said.

The TCP at Korumburra hospital provides 24/7 support and care for people that have high care needs after a hospital stay and before transitioning home.

“It provides individualised specialist care for people who need extra time to get back on their feet to return to their homes in an independent way,” Ms Chung said.

TCP brings together therapy services and nursing support under a different Federal Government funding stream to regular hospital beds.

“Care is tailored to an individual’s needs and goals when they need 24-hour care but not necessarily in an acute hospital setting,” Ms Chung said.

The program is available for older people who are assessed as needing allied health involvement to recover from surgery or an illness.