Post-Acute Care (PAC)
Where to find this service
The Post-Acute Care (PAC) program supports eligible patients after they leave hospital, helping them to continue recovering safely at home.
PAC provides short-term community-based care and services to prevent unnecessary readmissions and assist with the transition from hospital to home.
Who is eligible
We can see people from 1-2 days to four weeks immediately after they go home from hospital. We see people who live in the area covered by Western Health, which includes the council areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, and Wyndham.
PAC is available to patients who:
- Have recently been discharged from hospital
- Need short-term support to recover safely at home
- Are medically stable but need help with personal care, nursing, therapy or home support
- Are not eligible for other funded programs such as the Transition Care Program or NDIS
Eligibility for PAC is assessed during your hospital stay.
What the service includes
Depending on your needs, PAC may arrange:
- Home nursing
- Personal care and showering assistance
- Home care support (e.g. cleaning, meal preparation)
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy or other allied health services
- Short-term equipment loans
- Social work support
PAC services are time-limited and focused on helping people become independent or transition to long-term support if needed.
How to access the program
A hospital clinician (nurse, doctor or allied health professional) will assess your needs before discharge and refer you to PAC if eligible.
You cannot self-refer to PAC.
Services are arranged by the local PAC team based on your location and availability of providers. Patients from private hospitals are ineligible.
To refer to Western Health Post-Accurate Care, a healthcare professional must complete the WAU referral form [PDF 1283KB] and fax it to 8345 6529.
To contact PAC, please phone (03) 8345 0013.