It forms part of the Minns Labor Government’s budget investment of $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identifying patients that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.
These roles will support clinical staff to facilitate patient flow and better co-ordinate the discharge processes.
This will enhance patient communication and experience, including for patients awaiting discharge who are National Disability Insurance Scheme recipients or residential aged care residents.
This is just one of a range of measures included in the Minns Labor Government’s $480.7 million emergency department relief package announced in the state budget in June.
Other measures in the ED relief package include:
• $171.4 million to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED;
• $100 million to back 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 for an estimated 114,000 patients;
• $70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours; and
• $31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed.
Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris said: “The new role in Wyong and Gosford hospital will improve patient flow and the discharge process by coordinating and relieving suitable patients to be returned home with the appropriate supports in place.”
Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said: "These new patient flow concierge officers will help improve discharge processes and patient communication, easing pressure on our local hospitals and ensuring better care for Central Coast residents."
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said: “The NSW Government is committed to improving patient experience at every stage of the healthcare journey, committing over $480 million to our Emergency Relief Package to take the pressure off of our healthcare system.
“By creating the new role of the patient flow concierge, we aim to get patients home as soon as possible, freeing up doctors, nurses and other staff to get on with what they do best, looking after our community.”
