Aged care deal stalled as hospital beds stay blocked
An agreement to move older patients out of hospital and into aged care remains unsigned, as pressure on hospital beds in New South Wales continues to build.
The delay comes as hospitals continue to hold patients medically cleared for discharge but waiting on aged care services.
A proposed solution has been sitting in limbo for months.
The Weekly SOURCE recently reported that Community Home Australia (CHA) had signed a two-year Heads of Agreement with the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) to deliver a Transitional Aged Care Program (TACP).
Under the TACP, CHA would provide short-term accommodation and multidisciplinary care for patients awaiting residential aged care at its Kora House facility in Westmead, across the road from Westmead Hospital, 26km west of Sydney’s CBD – freeing up acute beds.
CHA co-founder Dr Rodney Jilek has told The Weekly SOURCE that while CHA signed and returned the agreement the same day, it has yet to be executed by the Local Health District.
“It’s been sitting on some bureaucrat’s table for three months now,” he said.
“I’m told if they signed it today, I could have five people [discharged from hospital to Kora House] tomorrow.”
Beds ready, agreement stalled
The delay continues despite clear incentives to reduce both capacity pressure and costs.
Rodney said the program would cost about $9,000 per week per patient, compared to around $3,200 per day in hospital.
“I’ve been holding beds for them for six months, costing me a fortune,” he said.
The model is designed for patients with complex needs, including dementia and behavioural challenges, who are often difficult to place.
More than 3,100 older patients are currently waiting in hospitals for aged care nationally, many with acute and dementia care needs.
While the States run hospitals, aged care sits with the Commonwealth, leaving Local Health Districts to manage the gap – often through negotiated arrangements with providers.
Rodney said other hospitals are holding off progressing similar models with CHA until the agreement is finalised.
“They’ve got a solution sitting there,” he said.
“But they can’t keep saying beds are blocked if they don’t do anything to move people out.”
Rodney has now written to the local MP, who has referred the matter to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park.
Nepean response
The Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District said it is “exploring transition to aged care programs with external providers”, but declined further comment while negotiations continue.
“Hospitals are not designed to provide the long-term residential care these patients need,” a spokesperson acknowledged.
“Patients with longer hospital admissions place considerable pressure on hospital capacity, affecting patient flow and timely access to care.”
