Number of hospital patients waiting for aged care rises 35% in six months
There are now 3,300 older patients stranded in hospital as winter approaches.
The revelation follows the recent announcement that the NSW Government’s Productivity and Equality Commission will conduct a review of older patients stranded in hospitals, looking at ways to reduce discharge delays, improve access to aged care, and relieve pressure on hospitals.
With the shortage of federally-funded residential aged care beds contributing to the high numbers of stranded patients in State-run hospitals, Tuesday’s Federal Budget 2026-27 contained a $1.7 billion commitment to incentivise construction of up to 5,000 aged care beds annually, with a particular emphasis on low-means residents.
Older patients living with dementia are at particular risk of experiencing delayed discharge from hospital. The Budget contained $606.5 million for up to 20 additional Specialist Dementia Care units and expanding the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support program, operated by HammondCare, from 11 to 20 locations.
Additional home care is also part of the solution. The Budget includes a target of expanding the Support at Home program by an additional 40,000 packages in 2026-27. Catholic Health Australia had said 60,000 new packages were needed annually.
The hospital data comes weeks before the commencement of winter, when flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases soar, putting older patients at risk.
NSW data shows COVID-19 and RSV notifications have already begun rising.
