Patients in Southern NSW will be able to receive treatment from the comfort of their own home as part of the Minns Labor Government $31.4 million expansion of the Hospital in the Home program.
The Hospital in the Home program helps ease pressure on busy emergency departments and reduces a patient’s length of stay in hospital, all while ensuring people can continue to receive safe high-quality care from home.
From December 2025, Hospital in the Home is being rolled out across the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Goulburn and Queanbeyan regions, helping Southern NSW patients to potentially avoid a visit to the ED and reduce long stays in hospital.
The program will be further strengthened by new wearable monitoring technology, helping clinicians to remotely track vital signs such as breathing rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels and heart rate in real time.
This innovative technology will support early intervention, with clinicians able to identify when a patient’s condition changes.
Snowy Monaro and Yass Valley communities will be part of a further expansion in the future.
Led by a dedicated medical officer and nurse practitioners, the new model will support the recovery of paediatric, palliative and aged care patients with a range of clinical conditions including cellulitis, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis and urinary tract infections.
Expanding access to hospital care at home and leveraging new digital technology across Southern NSW, is another step forward to improving access to flexible, safe and appropriate health care across the state.
Treating more people from the comfort of their own home is part of a range of measures the Minns Labor Government is embracing to relieve pressure on our busy emergency departments including:
- $171.4 million to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED;
- $100 million in our urgent care services to become a mainstay and key instrument of the health system in providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals preventing more than 114,000 ED presentations;
- $70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
- $15.1 million for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times;
- $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identifying patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place; and
- empowering GPs to prescribe ADHD medication; and pharmacists to treat non-complex conditions.
This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s efforts to recruit more healthcare workers; and deliver more hospitals and beds, more quickly.
The Liberals planned to cut staff and refused to introduce ratios; failed to deliver enough hospitals and beds to meet the growing needs of the community; and tried to privatise acute public hospitals.
People in the community interested in finding out whether Hospital in the Home care may be suitable for them, are encouraged to speak with their general practitioner or treating health professional, who can help determine eligibility and coordinate a referral.
Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“This is exactly the kind of modern, patient-centred care we want to see across NSW. This model ensures people get the care they need sooner, and with better support, while also helping to reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
“The Hospital in the Home program gives people access to high-quality treatment without leaving the comfort and safety of their home, while easing pressure on our busy hospitals.
“By pairing clinical expertise with innovative technology, like the new remote monitoring tools, we are ensuring we can deliver safer, more flexible healthcare.”
Health and Regional Health, Dr Michael Holland:
“This expansion of Hospital in the Home is a major boost for patients and families across Southern NSW. It gives people access to safe, high-quality care without the stress and cost of travelling or spending extended periods in hospital.
“As someone who has cared for patients in our region for many years, I know how important it is to provide treatment that is close to home, culturally appropriate and flexible. Hospital in the Home allows patients to recover in comfort while still receiving the clinical oversight they need.
“This model strengthens our local health system. It reduces pressure on emergency departments, improves patient flow and supports better outcomes for paediatric, palliative and aged care patients. It is another example of the Minns Labor Government delivering practical, modern healthcare which improves solutions for regional communities.”
Margaret Bennett, Chief Executive, SNSWLHD:
“This model ensures patients in our district receive equitable, timely and high-quality care across Southern NSW.
“The continuous delivery of vital sign data means our clinicians can intervene earlier and more precisely, reducing avoidable admissions and keeping hospital beds available for more acute cases.”
Summa Stephens, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Community and District Services at SNSWLHD:
“This model is all about giving people the right care, in the right place. Patients recover better when they’re in a familiar environment, and this service allows us to deliver hospital-level treatment while keeping them connected to home and family.
“We’ve been planning this model for two years, and we’re excited to roll out a district-wide HITH model and service that’s fit for purpose for Southern NSW. It’s medically led and supported by remote home monitoring.”
