Hospital Care at Home Expands Across Southern NSW with Innovative Technology
05 Dec 2025
Residents across Southern NSW will soon have greater access to hospital-level care from home, thanks to the Minns Labor Government’s $31.4 million expansion of the Hospital in the Home (HITH) program.
HITH enables patients to receive high-quality medical treatment without needing to stay in hospital, easing pressure on emergency departments and shortening hospital stays.
From December 2025, the program will roll out in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Goulburn, and Queanbeyan regions, helping patients avoid unnecessary trips to the ED.
The expansion introduces wearable remote monitoring devices that track vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and breathing rate, in real time. This technology allows clinicians to identify changes in a patient’s condition quickly, enabling timely interventions.
Future expansions will bring the service to Snowy Monaro and Yass Valley communities. The HITH model, led by a medical officer and nurse practitioners, will support paediatric, palliative, and aged care patients, managing conditions including cellulitis, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, and urinary tract infections.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare access across Southern NSW, complementing other measures including:
- $171.4 million for three additional virtual care services, helping around 180,000 people avoid ED visits.
- $100 million in urgent care services to provide alternative care pathways and prevent over 114,000 ED presentations.
- $70 million to expand short-stay units in emergency departments, improving patient flow and reducing wait times by nearly 80,000 hours.
- $15.1 million for the Ambulance Matrix, which gives paramedics real-time hospital data to guide patient transport.
- $53.9 million to support early discharge planning and home care.
- Expanded GP and pharmacist roles for prescribing ADHD medication and treating non-complex conditions.
This expansion also aligns with efforts to recruit more healthcare workers and build additional hospitals and beds to meet growing demand.
Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said:
"This is modern, patient-centred care. Hospital in the Home ensures people receive timely, high-quality treatment from their own homes while easing pressure on busy hospitals. Pairing clinical expertise with remote monitoring allows us to deliver safer and more flexible healthcare."
Dr Michael Holland, Member for Bega, added:
"This expansion gives patients safe, high-quality care close to home, reducing stress and hospital stays. It improves outcomes for paediatric, palliative, and aged care patients while strengthening our local health system."
Margaret Bennett, CEO of SNSWLHD, said:
"Continuous vital sign monitoring allows clinicians to intervene earlier, reducing avoidable admissions and keeping hospital beds available for acute patients."
Summa Stephens, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Community and District Services, stated:
"Patients recover better in familiar environments. This service delivers hospital-level care while keeping people connected to home and family. We’ve planned this model for two years, and it’s ready for district-wide rollout in Southern NSW."
People interested in HITH care should speak with their GP or treating health professional to determine eligibility and coordinate referrals.
News Source: NSW Health
