Fiona Stanley Hospital’s Fiona Hughes, left, volunteer Linda Duffy, Amanda Muir, volunteer Fay Bahemia and Juanaili Hultzsch.
Camera IconFiona Stanley Hospital’s Fiona Hughes, left, volunteer Linda Duffy, Amanda Muir, volunteer Fay Bahemia and Juanaili Hultzsch. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson.

Murdoch: Fiona Stanley Hospital outpatients get support with new initiative

Lauren PilatMelville Gazette

PATIENTS with chronic conditions discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospital will have access to a new support service this year to help manage their health and avoid re-hospitalisation.

A Community Link Booth worth $92,000, funded by Lotterywest, has been planned for the Murdoch-based hospital to assist outpatients in accessing community support services specific to their needs.

The brainchild of ConnectGroups chief executive Antonella Segre, the booth will be a “one-stop-shop” run by volunteers to help support patients as they leave hospital and need to continue their health management at home.

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“Australian Hospital statistics show that in 2015-16 there were over 65,000 potentially preventable hospitalisations in WA; these are hospitalisations that could have been prevented by timely and appropriate community-based healthcare, such as non-clinical support groups or services that help individuals with condition self-management,” she said.

“The booth is the first of its kind in WA and is an innovative way to connect with people at a human level to make appropriate referrals.

“ConnectGroups has 615 groups on its database and these range from chronic health conditions, genetic conditions, rare diseases, mental health conditions, or social isolation.

“It is something that was implemented to address an identified need and to find a way to keep people with health and mental health conditions safe and connected.”

The booth, planned to launch in October, will be at the entrance of the hospital.

To become a volunteer, call ConnectGroups on 9364 6909 or email info@connectgroups.org.au.