Hospital in the home in Southern NSW

Southern's Hospital in the Home (HITH) service provides acute clinical care in the home, in clinic settings, and through virtual appointments. Our highly skilled team delivers safe, hospital‑level treatment using a wide range of technologies and evidence‑based practices.

Benefits of HITH

The care you receive through HITH is comparable to the care provided in hospital. In many cases, HITH can shorten your hospital stay or help you avoid admission altogether. Key benefits include:

• Staying in the comfort of your own home: recover in a familiar environment surrounded by your usual supports.
• Maintaining your normal routine: choose your own visiting hours, eat and sleep on your schedule, and avoid adjusting to hospital routines.
• Reduced risk of hospital‑related complications: including falls, infections, and other issues associated with inpatient care.

Eligibility

To be eligible for HITH, patients must:

• Meet criteria for acute or subacute hospital admission
• Require at least daily care from a HITH team member
• Not require 24‑hour assessment, treatment, or observation
• Be able to manage their condition and recognise when to seek help (with or without carer support)
• Have a safe and suitable location for care outside the hospital
• Have reliable access to a landline, mobile phone, or internet service

How the service works

HITH provides hospital‑level care in your own home so you can recover comfortably while avoiding or shortening a hospital stay. After a referral from a health professional, our clinical team checks that the service is safe and suitable for you. If accepted, you are admitted to HITH just like a hospital patient, and a personalised care plan is created with you.

Your care may include home visits, virtual appointments, remote monitoring and support from our clinical team. The team provides daily care, seven days a week, and can increase support or arrange hospital transfer if your condition changes. When you no longer need acute care, the team will help you transition back to your GP or community services so you can continue recovering at home.

Patient transfers and direct admissions

Southern's District Patient Flow Unit coordinates patient movements between hospitals in Southern NSW Local Health District, and to or from hospitals outside our district.

The unit manages transfers, coordinates conference calls between referring and accepting clinicians, confirms bed availability, and books patient transport so care is timely and safe.

To arrange a transfer or direct admission to one of our hospitals or our Hospital in the Home service, call 1800 999 880.

REACH

If you are worried about a recent change in your condition or someone you care for who is under the HITH service, you can use REACH to escalate your concerns if no one seems to be noticing.

REACH is available 24/7 in our hospitals and mental health services. Remember to start by speaking to the nurse or doctor first – they are the best people to help address your worries. If you still feel worried after speaking to them, you can call REACH.

Learn more about the REACH system and get your local number to call.