A GROUP that helps support hospital outpatients with chronic conditions received vital funding last month to continue its work in preventing people from being re-hospitalised.
Health Minister Roger Cook presented ConnectGroups with a $116,580 Lotterywest grant to develop a Community Link Booth that supports patients as they’re discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospital.
The volunteer-run booth will launch later this year to connect outpatients with community support services to help manage their conditions and avoid them from being readmitted to hospital.
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READ NOWPatients and carers will be able to visit the booth to access information and resources about their condition, and find local support groups and services aligned with their health and mental health needs.
The booth is a collaborative initiative by ConnectGroups and the Health Consumers’ Council of WA, and a result of an identified need to reduce the high rate of preventable hospitalisations in the State.
Mr Cook recognised its importance as a way to help people self-manage their health concerns while also helping cut costs to the healthcare system.
“Re-admissions and ongoing healthcare are obviously a huge cost element for us in the healthcare system,” he said.
“One of the ways we make our system more sustainable is to have people helping themselves and others.
“That takes a huge burden off us in the healthcare system and that’s why this money is well spent.”
The Community Link Booth will be positioned at the entrance of FSH and is due to launch at the end of October.
Anyone interested in becoming a ConnectGroups volunteer should call 9364 6909 or email info@connectgroups.org.au.