Wycombe Grove celebrates milestone for new aged care initiative – Time to Think
A compassionate nation-leading initiative aimed at giving older Western Australians the space and time they need to make informed decisions about their future care and living arrangements has just supported its first 100 patients.
To celebrate this way of offering WA’s elders an opportunity to consider their next move in terms of care, Hall & Prior’s newly opened Wycombe Grove facility was chosen as the venue to announce this important milestone.
Since its launch in May, the Cook Government’s ‘Time to Think’ program has helped older Western Australians leave hospital sooner.
Supported by a $9.9 million investment by the Cook Government over 2024 to 2026, the program offers a discharge pathway for older patients who need extra time to consider their long-term care options or are waiting for a place in their preferred aged care home.
Wycombe Grove opens its doors
The program has delivered 53 dedicated short-term aged care beds to date, with 11 additional ‘Time to Think’ beds opened at Hall & Prior’s High Wycombe facility on August 26, when it welcomed its first residents.
Margaret, 82, who moved into Wycombe Grove following a fall, was thrilled to be the first occupant of the newly renovated space.
Premier Cook and members of the media were keen to hear Margaret’s feedback on her experience in the new facility – and she spoke glowingly of the kindness of the staff and he warm welcome she had received so far.
Additional residents will be moving into Wycombe Grove over the next few days, initially spending 28 days in the facility as they consider their next option for care.
The beds give older people the time to weigh their options, speak with family, and make informed decisions about their long-term care with dignity and comfort.
The program has already freed up more than 1,100 hospital bed days, improving outcomes for older patients while easing pressure on the health system.
With dedicated beds at multiple aged care homes across Perth, the program is expected to help ease pressure on hospitals and ensure older Western Australians receive care in a more home-like setting.
Dedicated beds are available at multiple aged care homes, include:
- Hall & Prior’s Leighton Aged Care Home in West Perth (9 beds);
- Hall & Prior’s Hamersley Aged Care Home in Subiaco (9 beds); and
- Hall & Prior’s Wycombe Grove Aged Care Home in High Wycombe (22 beds by mid-October).
Explaining Time to Think
Older Western Australians in ‘Time to Think’ beds receive the same high standard of care as other aged care residents, along with extra support to explore and secure long-term care options.
The ‘Time to Think’ program is part of a broader commitment by the Cook Government to improve hospital transitions and aged care pathways in WA. Other key initiatives include:
- Establishing Older Adult Community Integrated Care Hubs, a new model of care to support older adults to stay well in the community, providing access to services and support to navigate the health and aged care systems at points of transition;
- From Hospital to Home (FH2H), a State Government-funded reform supporting medically fit individuals with disability to transition out of hospital while awaiting long-term support arrangements. Since its launch in November 2021, FH2H has helped 300 long-stay patients discharge, reducing the hospital bed burden by over 24,000 days;
- the Residential Respite Pilot, fully funded by the Commonwealth under the Strengthening Medicare Supporting Older Australians package, supports older adults with short-term stays in aged care homes while making long-term care decisions. Over 790 older people have been discharged from hospital via the pilot, potentially freeing up over 30,000 hospital bed days; and
- the Cook Government has also committed to a $100 million low interest loan scheme to help aged care providers deliver up to 500 concessional aged care beds, with the scheme currently in the design phase.
The ‘Time to Think’ program is in partnership with the Australian Government and aged care providers.
Ministers praise new initiative
“As of today, we have 11 additional beds in the Time to Think program, taking the total to 53,” said Premier Roger Cook.
“These Time to Think beds are just another way my government is working to give patients the time and space they need, in an appropriate setting, to make a decision about their care.
“As demonstrated by my recent trip to Canberra, my government is committed to working in partnership with the Commonwealth to ensure seniors get the support they need to live a quality life.”
Health Minister Meredith Hammat was also keen to endorse the Time to Think program.
“This initiative reflects our government’s commitment to ensuring older Western Australians receive the care they need in the right setting,” she said.
“By providing dedicated ‘Time to Think’ beds, we are not only supporting patients in making informed decisions about their future care but also helping to alleviate pressure on our hospitals.
“We are continuing to work with the Commonwealth Government on initiatives to ease the transition from hospital to aged care, to ensure the best care and support for older Western Australians.”
Aged Care and Seniors Minister Simone McGurk said that older Western Australians deserve time to make informed decisions about their future care arrangements.
“This nation-leading program ensures they can transition comfortably out of hospital while still receiving the high-quality care they need,” said Minister McGurk.
“This initiative ensures older patients can access appropriate aged care support while freeing up beds for those who need them most.”
Graeme Prior AM, CEO of Hall & Prior also addressed the media and took questions, highlighting the ‘kind’ nature of the care that is delivered at Wycombe Grove and all Hall & Prior facilities. He also encouraged the Premier to further expand the $100m ZRIL program of funding, as well as speaking to the shared responsibility of both the Federal and State Governments to focus on providing appropriate care for the aged in Australia’s communities.
In summary
- Wycombe Grove in High Wycombe opens its doors, eventually offering 22 beds in the Time to Think/transition care space
- Premier Cook’s Government’s ‘Time to Think’ program reaches 100th patient milestone
- More than 1,100 hospital bed days freed up since May launch
- 11 additional ‘Time to Think’ beds added this week at Wycombe Grove – bringing total to 53
- $9.9 million investment over two years to ease hospital pressures and support aged care transitions
- Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government and aged care providers, including Hall & Prior
To find out more about Wycombe Grove and other Time to Think places within Hall & Prior’s WA homes, please email info@hallprior.com.au. To view the press conference, please visit our You Tube page here.
