What is the Hospital Substitute Care program?
It's a service that allows you to receive your medical treatment at home, rather than at a hospital. HCF has contracted Stanhope Healthcare Services (a Healthcare Australia Company) – an accredited community nursing service – to help administer the program which will run for 12 months from November 2008 in the Northern Local Government area of Sydney.
What are the benefits of joining the program?
Put simply, you can receive your treatment in the privacy of your own home rather than being admitted to hospital. You will still receive the same treatment you would expect in a hospital. If you are currently in hospital it means you can receive an early discharge and continue your treatment at home, avoiding a lengthy stay.
How do I enrol?
First of all, your doctor will need to assess whether you're medically stable to receive your treatment outside of hospital. If so, your doctor will refer you to the program with a care plan and a predicted length of stay.
You'll also need to have a carer when required, access to a phone if an emergency occurs, and your home environment must be suitable and safe.
How does the program work?
Once your doctor's referral is sent to Stanhope, a Stanhope staff member will contact you within 24 hours to arrange for a nurse to visit you. At the first visit, the Stanhope nurse will thoroughly assess your condition and then work with your doctor to provide the best treatment program for you.
The visits will be daily (or at a time agreed by both you and your doctor), and regular updates will be provided to your doctor. When you've completed your treatment, your doctor will authorise a formal discharge from the program. You'll also receive information on self-managed treatments, follow up consultations with your doctor and any referral-based follow up services required.
What treatments are available?
- Administration of IV antibiotics
- Advance acute wound management
- Diabetes medication management
- Deep vein thrombosis management
- Urinary catheter management
- Palliative care (end stage)
How much does the program cost?
Services provided to you by Stanhope Healthcare will be funded by HCF.
Depending on your level of HCF cover, you may be required to pay for some pharmaceuticals and/or equipment aids.
Please call HCF directly on 13 13 34 to confirm this.
HCF cover does not cover medical charges from your doctor, pathology or radiology charges but medicare rebates are all available for these services.
Is there anything else I should know?
You'll need to hold HCF hospital cover and not have a pre-existing condition within the 12-month waiting period. You'll also need approval from your doctor to participate.
Your privacy is important to us. The information you provide to Stanhope Healthcare Services will remain confidential and will be used only for treatment purposes and in the final evaluation of the pilot. The HCF privacy policy can be viewed at www.hcf.com.au/privacy.asp
Please contact us if you would like further information or to provide feedback on the program:
HCF Clinical Review team
(02) 9290 0256 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Stanhope Healthcare Services
1300 732 370 (7 days/week) or view their website at Stanhope
Patient referrals can be faxed to (02) 9487 1655.
