The Out of Hospital Care Program (OHC)

The Out of Hospital Care (OHC) Program
Community Care Options is proud to partner with Community Options Australia to deliver the NSW Health Out of Hospital Care (OHC) Program.

OHC is a state funded initiative and is managed in conjunction with Local Health Districts by the NSW Ministry of Health Out of Hospital Care Team and its partners.
There are there three types of packages available in this program;

Community Packages (ComPacks)
Community Packages (ComPacks) support safe and early discharges from hospital by providing eligible patients with a short-term package of care designed to help them regain independence and prevent their readmission to hospital. ComPacks is available to in-patients of participating NSW public hospitals requiring short-term coordinated home care services, to return home safely for up to 6 weeks from discharge and is not designed as a long term support option.

Safe and Supported at Home (SASH)
The role of the Safe and Supported at Home (SASH) package is to assist clients with functional impairment/s who are in the process of applying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

SASH packages are available for patients being discharged from hospital who have been identified as eligible and are available to people who are accessing LHD community health or out-patient services. Referrals are made by delegated health staff when an individual is in hospital, or when an individual is receiving out-patient or community health services. These include nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

SASH packages are available for 6 weeks but can be repeated depending on the assessed needs of the patient and upon approval of NSW Health LHD coordinator.

End of Life (EoL)
End of Life (EoL) packages support patients with a progressive life limiting illness or condition.

The packages are designed for patients that are in the deteriorating or terminal phase of their illness or condition, who require assistance with daily living tasks and wish to die in their own home or to remain at home for as long as possible. The package can also support family members or carers.

Referrals can be made from the in-patient or out-patient settings and from LHD community-based teams, including (but not limited to) Specialist Palliative Care, Community Nursing, Chronic Disease and Aged Care Assessment Teams.

EoL packages are available for 6 weeks but can be repeated depending on the assessed needs of the patient.

These three packages offer low to medium levels of care which include non-clinical case management and home care services such as assistance with personal care, housework, meals, transport, respite and social support. Eligible patients may also transition between package types depending on their changing needs.

Is there a cost?
ComPacks and SASH packages are $10 per week and there is no fee for the EOL program.  If you are in financial stress and can’t afford the fee please discuss this with your case manager.