PallCare@Home
Service overview
The PallCare@Home service admits patients for short term specialist palliative care assessment and management in the comfort of their home rather than in hospital. The service aims to support patients and their caregivers using a multi-disciplinary model to improve symptom control at any point in the disease trajectory, provide psychosocial support and respite, engage in advance care planning and care coordination, and provide end-of-life care at home in instances where the relevant community palliative care team are not available. PallCare@Home is part of the Better@Home suite of services offered by St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.
Team members
- Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Coordinator
- Palliative Care Physicians
- Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultants
- Hospital in the Home Nurses
- Allied Health disciplines can be accessed as required
Service delivery
- 7 days per week, minimum of twice daily contacts
- Program duration is usually 7 – 10 days
- Out of hours support accessible via Caritas Christi Hospice After Hours Phone Triage
- In person and telehealth sessions available
Eligibility criteria
The patient resides in the City of Yarra, Boroondara or Darebin, or within 20km of Fitzroy.
The patient has a progressive, life-limiting or life-threatening disease.
The patient and/or caregiver have palliative care needs requiring specialist multidisciplinary input.
If end-of-life care is the main goal of the admission, the patient has a caregiver living with them.
Referral process
Internal SVHM referrals are to be made via the Electronic Patient Journey Board
External referrals can be made via the Caritas Christi Admission Coordinator 8am-4pm Mon - Fri on 03 9056 1005 and accompanied by the SCTT template for Palliative Care Supplementary information available here
Fax: 03 9231 5666
Email: cchadmissionscoordinator@svha.org.au
Contact details
PACE (Palliative Care Evaluation) Team Phone: 0408 060 790 8am-4pm Mon-Fri
GPs, please note, as this is an admitted service, PallCare@Home will provide all medical care to the patient at home. If patients choose to consult with you whilst under the care of this program, they are not eligible for Medicare rebates for services you provide as they are still considered inpatients of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.