As part of a scheme which is changing the face of hospital care in Australia, heart patients go home sooner, to receive hospital-standard care from a specialist team.

This service (known as APAC – acute/post-acute care), is supported by the Foundation. It is a collaboration with the North Shore Cardiovascular Education Centre, which tailors the recovery program. An extension of the ‘hospital in the home' scheme, it offers safe home care to Royal North Shore Hospital patients who have had a heart attack requiring a stent.

Home visits

On returning home after a heart attack requiring emergency intervention with a stent, patients are visited by a cardiac nurse, and a multidisciplinary team.

In the comfort of their home, patients receive safe ‘acute' care from nurses skilled in general and technical nursing.

Support team

The support team includes pharmacists, occupational therapists, social workers, community care aides and physiotherapists, ensuring that each patient's needs are met.

Members of the APAC team visit with a backpack of support material that includes education, dressings, pathology and intravenous equipment.

The service is in the process of including the area of Northern Sydney Central Coast.

Heart patients often find it easier to learn about their medication at home, rather than in hospital. Health visitors also help with daily living, such as keeping appointments and contacting community services.