❓ Question regarding increasing hospital readmission rates in WA Country Health Service, particularly for mental health patients, and strategies to address this. The answer acknowledges the issue and outlines existing and planned initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 5674Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 October 2019
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to page 125 of the WA Country Health Service 2018-19 Annual Report, and ask: (a) Why has the total hospital readmission rate continued to increase well above target; and (b) What strategies are being in place to arrest and mitigate the readmission rate into the future?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2019
Response time
12 days
I am advised:
(a) The nature of some mental health conditions and lack of service options in close proximity in country locations (such as other primary or secondary care providers, step-down or sub-acute accommodation) necessitates care plans that, for some patients, include return to hospital in the event of crisis and short-lived periods of risk to self. People needing readmission sometimes have complex social circumstances and limited personal and family support.
(b) The WACHS Mental Health Quality and Safety Steering Committee continue to guide strategy for improvements to care.
WACHS works closely with other service providers to identify service gaps and build service capacity in the primary and secondary sector along with improving the transition of care for consumers to these providers where appropriate.
In November 2018, Albany opened a Step Up Step Down Unit (SUSD) that assists with providing additional options for care post-discharge. Other SUSD units are planned for Bunbury Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Geraldton.
(a) The nature of some mental health conditions and lack of service options in close proximity in country locations (such as other primary or secondary care providers, step-down or sub-acute accommodation) necessitates care plans that, for some patients, include return to hospital in the event of crisis and short-lived periods of risk to self. People needing readmission sometimes have complex social circumstances and limited personal and family support.
(b) The WACHS Mental Health Quality and Safety Steering Committee continue to guide strategy for improvements to care.
WACHS works closely with other service providers to identify service gaps and build service capacity in the primary and secondary sector along with improving the transition of care for consumers to these providers where appropriate.
In November 2018, Albany opened a Step Up Step Down Unit (SUSD) that assists with providing additional options for care post-discharge. Other SUSD units are planned for Bunbury Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Geraldton.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.