The system that could help clear Australia’s increasing elective surgery backlog

A Melbourne doctor claims offering home care to patients post-surgery will cut their time in hospital in half, helping ease pressure on the strained healthcare system.

Chief executive of health services at Medibank, Dr Andrew Wilson, says a recent study proves the system works and should be adopted by more hospitals.

“Our system is very hospital-centric,” Dr Wilson told 3AW Breakfast.

“The study we’ve done looking at people who’ve had a joint replacement shows that you can reduce their length of stay by 50 per cent by providing education prior to going to hospital and then making sure they get the appropriate care in the comfort of their own home,” he said.

It is a system that has been adopted by 23 hospitals so far and Wilson believes it “makes sense” and should be rolled out to more hospitals.

“Patients and their families prefer it and it reduces the burden on a much needed hospital healthcare system,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Wilson’s thoughts on increased home-care