The South Australian Government has unveiled a new Geriatric Outreach Service – dubbed a “geriatric flying squad” – to help move older patients out of hospitals and into aged care.

Nearly 260 patients are currently stuck in SA hospitals waiting for an aged care bed – close to record highs and almost 2.5 times the number two years ago. Of these, nearly 100 require a specialist Memory Support Unit bed.

The outreach service is part of a $34.9 million suite of initiatives aimed at improving collaboration between hospitals and aged care homes, particularly for people with dementia or cognitive decline. It will also work to prevent avoidable admissions and support smoother hospital-to-aged care transitions.

Backed by $1.7 million in Federal funding, the service expands Southern Adelaide’s existing Residential Aged Care Facility In-Reach and Memory Support Transition programs. It now offers 12 psychogeriatric beds – up from eight – plus support for 10 inpatients transitioning into aged care homes. Operating seven days a week, the squad will provide geriatrician-led specialist care across metropolitan Adelaide.

The initiative builds on last year’s opening of a 32-bed geriatric and complex care unit at the Repat Health Precinct. In 2023, the SA and Federal Governments jointly announced $42.9 million for flying squads as part of a $56.3 million package to ease hospital discharge delays. That broader package also extended dementia transition services, short-term recovery support, and palliative care in aged care.

SA Health Minister Chris Picton (pictured inset) said the outreach team would provide hands-on support for aged care homes taking on complex patients. The model also reflects Recommendation 58 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for jointly funded geriatric outreach services.