1,276 people in NSW hospitals have been medically cleared for discharge but remain in hospital because they're still waiting for NDIS or aged care supports, a 46% increase on the same time last year. Of those awaiting discharge, 948 are waiting for aged care services and 348 are waiting for NDIS supports. 

Many of the services people rely on after leaving hospital sit outside the health system. Support workers need to be available, equipment needs to arrive, transport has to be organised and, in some cases, home modifications need to be completed before someone can go home. Delays in any of those areas can keep a person in hospital for days or weeks after their treatment has finished.

Lisa Cordi, co-founder at  Elite Care NSW, says families often spend that time waiting for updates while trying to prepare for a discharge that keeps moving. 

“Time off work is extended, appointments are rearranged and care plans remain on hold until a date is confirmed. It can be difficult to organise support when nobody knows exactly when someone will be coming home”.

"Being medically cleared doesn't mean everything else is ready," Elite Care NSW spokesperson said. "There are often several services that need to come together before someone can leave safely. Families are trying to coordinate all of that while supporting someone who's ready to get back to their normal environment," Lisa explains.

NSW Health has introduced initiatives to reduce the number of medically cleared patients remaining in hospital, including additional funding to help move people into aged care and disability services sooner. 

Lisa adds that “Community providers also have a role to play by working with hospitals and families before discharge so supports can begin as soon as someone arrives home”.

The latest figures show that discharge is no longer only about medical treatment. It also depends on how quickly community supports can be put in place. Until those services are available, people who are ready to leave hospital will continue waiting.

The conversation around hospital capacity usually focuses on emergency departments, staffing and funding. Community care is rarely part of that discussion, yet it’s become one of the deciding factors in whether a hospital bed is available. As Australia's population ages and demand for disability support grows, that connection is only likely to become more important.