Home-based care a first for Graylands Hospital

• Eligible patients treated with hospital-level care and support at home

• Service to expand to 24 beds in coming months

• Care delivered in partnership with patient and carers, offering contemporary, person-centred support in the least restrictive manner

Access to acute mental health care at home has increased with the launch of the Graylands Hospital In The Home (HITH) service.

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said the Graylands HITH was for eligible individuals residing in the Stirling catchment area who were acutely unwell and were able to be treated at home, rather than in hospital.

"Graylands HITH provides a contemporary and safe alternative for patients who would normally require an inpatient admission when their needs exceed the level of support provided by Community Mental Health Services," Mrs Morton said.

"With intensive management, assessment and treatment provided in the home, Graylands HITH enables patients to maintain as much of their normal routine as possible during a period of acute illness."

The Graylands HITH team comprises a consultant psychiatrist, medical officer, pharmacist, peer support worker, mental health nurses, social workers and occupational therapists who support the individual and carer with daily home visits to monitor treatment and progress, all overseen by a case manager.

This multi-disciplinary team provides a patient-centred, holistic approach to ensure individual needs are met and care is equivalent to that delivered in inpatient settings.

Each HITH patient will co-sign an agreed care plan with their healthcare provider.  This ensures that should the patient become progressively unwell, a clear plan has been agreed to - such as hospital admission.

The Graylands HITH builds on the success of the four-bed mental health HITH program which has operated for many years from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

"With eight beds currently in operation, the Graylands HITH service will expand to 24 beds in the coming months," Mrs Morton said.

        Fact File

• There are currently 8 HITH beds in operation, this is to increase to a total of 24 beds

• The HITH service operates 7 days a week, 8.30am to 10pm and works closely with the Mental Health Emergency Response Line to provide out of hours cover

• Eligible patients for Graylands HITH must be acutely unwell, of low to moderate risk, undergo a comprehensive risk assessment and live in the Stirling catchment

Minister's office - 6552 6900