Hospital patients often view returning home as a significant step forwards in their recovery.
For more than ten years, the Rehabilitation in the Home (RITH) program has assisted people in achieving their best level of independence through early supported discharge from hospital.
Cindy Delvins is Acting Senior Manager for the RITH program at Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), based at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“Rather than stay in a hospital ward, RITH allows patients to return home and receive a short term, intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in their own surroundings,” said Cindy.
RITH is a seven day service, delivered at no cost to patients through home visits and video calls supported by a team of professionals including:
- Rehabilitation Medicine Specialists
- Nursing
- Allied Health, including, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Dietetics, Social Work, Exercise Physiology, Pharmacy and Allied Health Assistants
- Administration Officers
RITH also provides short term equipment loan following assessment.
In hospital, patients can access the program via medical assessment if they are 18 years or older, have rehabilitation goals, are motivated and well enough to participate on a daily basis, have a home environment that is suitable for therapy and can be contacted by phone.
Since inception in 2013, RITH has looked after more than 4000 clients.
In service since the beginning
Acting Nurse Consultant Maria has been a passionate member of the RITH team since it started operations in 2013.
“I enjoy providing rehab in the home as it allows me to build up a therapeutic relationship with my clients and develop meaningful connections with them – I even get to know their pets!” Maria said.
“Watching clients regain and improve their abilities is incredibly rewarding.
Maria said it has been a privilege watching the RITH team develop from a small group of therapists and nurses in the early days to the wide range of services the program is now able to offer.
“We’re a dynamic and flexible team, and we look after each other’s wellbeing,” said Maria.
“My colleagues are like a second family to me, so it’s easy to come to work every day.”
Happy birthday!
Current and past members of the RITH team recently gathered at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital to reflect on their 10th anniversary.
“It was lovely to see so many current and past employees attend the event, share stories, and reflect on the numerous RITH achievements over the past 10 years,” Acting Senior Manager Cindy said.
