Mental health support in the comfort of home

Dr Uday Kolur (Consultant), Kim Leary (Social Worker), Elizabeth White (Advanced Carer – Peer Worker), Kylie Hall (Nurse Unit Manager), Dr Calyn Tang (Registrar), Charlotte Beeson (Clinical Nurse), Khiem Lieu (Clinical Nurse)

The new Metro North Mental Health (MNMH) Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in the Home (RBWH-HiTH) service is able to assess, treat and provide support services to patients within the comforts of their home.

The RBWH-HiTH service provides the same quality of care that patients receive in hospital while freeing up hospital beds for patients with higher-acuity mental health needs.

RBWH-HiTH Nurse Unit Manager Kylie Hall said limiting the amount of time patients spend in hospital was a positive for patients, their families and carers, and for the health service.

“Keeping our patients comfortable at home, while providing safe, high-quality treatment can be beneficial to their recovery,” she said.

“HITH gives patients the convenience of being treated with their support network close by and reduces hospital visits and time spent occupying a hospital bed.

“Anecdotal and more formal evidence also suggests that treating patients at home can assist with their recovery time.”

The RBWH-HiTH service commenced on 12 August 2024, with an average of 12 patients admitted and 10 discharged from the service each month.

The service is currently staffed to support an 8-bed model, with plans to increase to a 10-bed model in 2025.