Public hospitals charge a daily accommodation fee to long stay patients. This goes toward the cost of their care. The fees are in line with Commonwealth legislation.
Long stay patients who no longer need acute hospital care get less public hospital funding.
A long stay patient is a person who:
- has been in any hospital for more than 35 days without a discharge period of more than 7 days
- doesn't have a valid Acute Care Certificate
- still requires a certain level of care.
The 35 day period starts on the date of admission. Fees apply from the 36th day.
We won't charge inpatients when they need acute care and need to be in an acute hospital setting. We'll check your acute care needs every day and we'll issue an Acute Care Certificate if you need one.
How are the fees charged?
If you need to stay in hospital after your 35 days and if you don't have an Acute Care Certificate, you'll pay the fee.
A member of the treating team, a social worker or both will discuss this with you. They may also discuss it with your next of kin.
The long-stay fee is 87.5% of a single aged pension and the maximum daily rate of rental assistance. This is the same for self-funded retirees.
If you need to know more about our long stay charges ask your nurse, social worker or ward clerk.