New aged care beds are now in action in Walkerville, with the first patients welcomed into a new step-down healthcare service designed to free up hospital capacity across Adelaide.
The Central Adelaide Local Health Network service at College Grove has opened its first 10 beds, providing care for patients who no longer need to remain in hospital but are not yet ready to return fully to community living.
The beds form the first phase of a planned 50-bed step-down model, which is expected to be fully operational by mid-2026. The service delivers on a State Government election commitment to create additional aged care-style beds outside the acute hospital system.
The model is designed to support patients who may be awaiting an aged care placement, recovering after surgery, needing convalescent care, waiting on National Disability Insurance Scheme planning, or facing other barriers to safely returning home.
Rather than remaining in a hospital bed, patients can receive intermediate care in a structured and supportive environment with trained healthcare staff. The aim is to give people the right level of care in a more appropriate setting, while making hospital beds available for those who need acute care.
The new College Grove service will support patients from across CALHN sites, including the Royal Adelaide Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Last month, the number of older South Australians stuck in hospital rose to 371, highlighting the pressure being placed on hospital capacity and the need for alternative care options.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Blair Boyer said, “Our hospitals are under enormous pressure, and we need to do things differently. Alternative models of care are crucial to provide a high-quality public health system for the 21st century.”
“We are making sure hospital beds are available for patients who truly need acute care, while supporting others to recover in a more appropriate setting.”
“By improving patient flow, we’re strengthening the entire health system and helping reduce pressure on emergency departments.”
“We can’t wait for the Commonwealth to invest more in aged care. That’s why we’re acting here and why we took a comprehensive plan to the election to step in and create new aged care beds.”
The service is being delivered through a collaboration between CALHN and Amplar Health.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer Dr Emma McCahon said, “Our new College Grove service offers a safe and comfortable environment for patients who no longer need hospital care across our sites including the Royal Adelaide and The Queen Elizabeth Hospitals,” Dr McCahon said.
“It ensures patients receive the right care, in an appropriate environment which both supports their recovery and journey back into the community.”
“At my visit to College Grove last week, I was amazed at the facility and the high-quality care already being delivered to support patients. I’m looking forward to seeing the service grow and strengthen how CALHN delivers care for the community.”
CALHN is also supporting older patients through the Care of the Older Person and Community Transition Service at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, where a specialised team works with patients, staff, families and friends to plan discharge to home, supported care, or a Commonwealth aged care placement.
Amplar Health Home Hospital Chief Executive Officer Sarah McRae said, “Australia’s health system is undergoing a significant transition, and services like College Grove reflect the smarter, more flexible models of care needed to meet that change,” Ms McRae said.
“We’re proud to partner with SA Health to deliver a service that not only improves patient flow, but ensures people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
“The speed at which this transition care service has been established and scaled is a credit to the teams involved and demonstrates what’s possible when we work together with a shared focus on patient outcomes.”
“We hope to see more jurisdictions across the country follow this lead, embracing innovative step-down models that ease pressure on hospitals while delivering high-quality, patient-centred care in more appropriate settings.”
Once all 50 beds are operational, the service is expected to play a growing role in improving patient flow across Adelaide’s central hospitals, helping older patients move out of acute hospital care sooner while continuing to receive the support they need.
