Rehabilitation in the Home (RITH)

Home Based services which facilitate early discharge from hospital which are available for some patients discharged from Northern Health services

The Home based rehabilitation programs offer an alternative approach to staying in hospital and aim to support recovery after an injury or illness. These are non-admitted services providing access to Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy and for patients post stroke, Speech Pathology where indicated. The RITH teams will provide services in the home for up to 3-4 weeks. Following this, if further therapy is needed, clients will be referred to an appropriate service.
There are three areas of Rehab in the Home services – Early Stroke Dscharge (ESD), Emergency RITH (ERITH) and Orthopaedic RITH (ORITH):

What to expect from the service?

If it is felt home based care is possible/appropriate the team managing your care in hospital will discuss with you (and your family) plans for discharge to Rehab in the Home (RITH). Following discharge you will get a post discharge phone call from one of the team to see how you are progressing and clarify the services that are needed. This may be followed up with services in the home, phone based advice and coaching, appointments at one of our centres or alternative external services may be identified as more appropriate.
Rehab in the Home – Emergency (E-RITH) provides services to clients who have presented to The Northern Hospital Emergency Department, Short Stay Unit or Acute Assessment Unit and require therapy at home to facilitate safe discharge home. Patients seen by this service include presenting post fall, with acute pain or reduced mobility requiring some followup to ensure safety in the home environment.
Rehab in the Home – Orthopaedic (O-RITH): Provides services to patients who have undergone elective orthopaedic surgery (Total Knee or Hip replacement) at Northern Health. Patients may be identified at the pre-admission clinic or post surgery and then discharged home early with RITH support.

The RITH programs are directed at facilitating early discharge for Northern Health patients. External referrals or enquiries for patients requiring home based services or followup post hosiptal discharge please contact the Community Access Service team
Phone: 94953443 or Free Call: 1300 128 539
Fax Referrals to: 8405 8616