It started with only 2 cars and made approximately 6000 visits to 470 patients per year. Sr. Francesca Healy’s flying white habit could be seen as she drove around Fitzroy. The hospital carpenter would be called in to build ramps and the hospital kitchen provided meals.
Today, St Vincent’s at Home (SVAH) has 14 cars, makes 27,000 visits per year to 3,500 patients. It consists of 55 registered nurses, a physiotherapist and a social worker.
St Vincent’s at Home integrates these three programs:
- Home and Community Care (HACC) to help frail, aged or younger disabled people remain in their homes. Nursing care such as medication assistance, wound care and diabetes management is provided.
- Hospital in the Home (HITH) to provide acute nursing care in the home, substituting an inpatient stay. Typical care includes the administration of intravenous antibiotics or anticoagulation therapy. This saves over 10,000 bed days per year.
- The Sr. Francesca Healy Cottage, a six -bed facility, provides hospital in the home care to people experiencing homelessness. It addresses the presenting issue, and aims to improve the person’s overall physical and social wellbeing.
SVAH continues to provide a high quality service that is able to meet the challenges of the many complex needs of the surrounding community. It is a unique service in that it provides continuity of care for the patient as they journey though the health system from the hospital to the community. Staff have the opportunity to impact patient health over the course of days, months or years.
“Coming Home”- Celebrating 50 years of St Vincent’s Home is a half day conference on Tues 15th September 1.30-5.30pm, followed by a cocktail party from 5.30-7.30pm.
Past staff or anyone interested should contact Genevieve Cooper or Louise Hogan on 9288 3817.
A photo exhibition with past photos and newly commissioned works by Megan Holmes will be on display at the gallery located on the ground floor Daly Wing, St Vincent’s hospital, Fitzroy for 2 weeks from 14th September during office hours.
If you have participated in any way in the St Vincent's At Home service, we invite your feedback. You can do this by simply writing a comment beneath each post.
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