More patients with a disability who have been medically cleared but are stuck waiting in hospital for a NDIS plan will be able to go home earlier, with the Andrews Labor Government expanding a program to reduce bed block around the state.

The $39 million Pathways to Home program helps patients with a disability transition home or into home-like accommodation once they are medically fit for discharge from hospital, and while they await their permanent accommodation plans through the NDIS.

The program will free up bed spaces for hundreds of patients – alleviating bed block issues to ease pressure on hospitals and free up healthcare workers and paramedics.

Following a successful pilot in metropolitan Melbourne which saw more than 3,000 hospital bed days freed up, the program will expand into regional Victoria for the first time – helping more people with a disability regain their independence and spend more time with their families.

After years of NDIS neglect from the Morrison Government, delayed discharge times for patients with a disability rose to an average wait of five months, with some spending as long as 600 days waiting for discharge.

The expanded program will now be available through:

The program operates alongside The Summer Foundation, which works in partnership with health services and disability providers to ensure appropriate transitional accommodation is available.

Health services have been enthusiastic in signing up for the next phase of the program, with 13 metropolitan and seven regional services planning to participate.