At Aurora Hospitals, mental health care doesn’t end at discharge. Through our established Hospital in the Home (HITH) and community-based mental health services, patients receive expert, compassionate care in the place they feel most comfortable—their own home.
Delivered across the Aurora network, this model reflects a commitment to person-centred, flexible mental health care that supports recovery in real-life settings—not just clinical environments.
A more connected approach to mental health care
Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. Aurora’s Hospital in the Home services are designed to bridge the gap between inpatient treatment and everyday life, supporting patients either as an alternative to hospital admission or as part of a structured discharge plan.
Patients receive psychiatrist-led, coordinated home visits, supported by mental health nurses and allied health teams. Frequency is tailored—weekly, fortnightly or longer-term—depending on individual needs and recovery goals.
This continuity keeps patients connected to care, while enabling them to rebuild independence in a familiar and supportive environment.
Real-world insight, earlier intervention
Providing care at home offers a deeper understanding of how patients are functioning day to day—something that can’t always be captured in hospital.
Dr Penny King, Medical Director at Robina Private Hospital and Psychogeriatrician, explains:
“The Hospital in the Home service gives me greater visibility of how my patients are functioning day to day. It allows us to identify emerging mental health needs earlier, intervene sooner, and provide more responsive, tailored support—all while keeping patients in the familiarity of their own environment.”
This visibility allows clinicians to identify early warning signs, adjust treatment promptly, and deliver highly personalised care based on real-world circumstances.
A decade of proven impact
Aurora’s Hospital in the Home model is well established, delivering measurable outcomes across the group:
- More than 50,000 home visits over the past ten years
- Improved continuity between inpatient, day programs and community care
- Reduced relapse risk through early intervention and ongoing support
It’s a model that supports long-term recovery—not just short-term stabilisation.
Comprehensive support—beyond clinical care
Aurora’s Hospital in the Home services provide holistic, multidisciplinary mental health support, extending beyond traditional clinical care to include practical, behavioural, and social components.
Clinical and therapeutic care
- Psychoeducation and relapse prevention planning
- Medication support and symptom management
- Evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT and ACT
- Brief therapeutic and behavioural interventions, including exposure-based support where needed
Functional and recovery-focused support
- Skills training to manage symptoms and daily routines
- Occupational therapy assessments within the home environment
- Support with maintaining self-care and independence
- Goal setting and structured recovery planning
Social and community reintegration
- Support to re-engage in community activities such as outings or social settings
- Social work assistance with financial, legal or housing needs
- Vocational support to rebuild confidence and routine
- A consistent, judgement-free space to build trust and connection
This integrated approach ensures care is not only clinically effective but also practical, relevant, and sustainable in everyday life.
Supporting recovery in everyday environments
Being treated at home allows patients to practise skills where they matter most—within their own routines, relationships, and surroundings.
This leads to:
- Greater comfort and reduced anxiety
- Stronger engagement with treatment
- Improved confidence and independence
- Better integration of coping strategies into daily life
Patients are supported to stay active, manage stress, overcome avoidance behaviours, and maintain progress beyond hospital care.
The human impact behind every visit
Beyond the clinical benefits, Hospital in the Home is about meaningful connection.
Gail MacDonald, Hospital in the Home Coordinator at Robina Private Hospital, shares:
“Knowing we’ve helped patients stay on their recovery path is the most rewarding part of what we do.”
Each home visit builds trust, reinforces progress, and helps patients feel supported—not just as patients, but as people navigating recovery in their everyday lives.
A leading model for community-based mental health care
As demand grows for community mental health services and hospital at home models in Australia, Aurora’s approach is leading the way.
By integrating inpatient care, day programs, and home-based support, Aurora delivers a connected, flexible system of care that:
- Reduces the need for prolonged hospital stays
- Supports earlier intervention
- Strengthens long-term mental health outcomes
Care that continues beyond hospital
Aurora’s Hospital in the Home service represents a shift in how mental health care is delivered—one that prioritises accessibility, continuity, and real-world impact.
By bringing care into the home, Aurora helps patients:
- Stay engaged in their recovery
- Build independence and confidence
- Reduce relapse risk
- Continue their progress in familiar surroundings
Because at Aurora, care doesn’t end at the hospital door—it continues wherever recovery happens.
