COTA SA CE Miranda Starke has been in the media recently advocating on the issue of stranded patients, older South Australians who are medically fit for discharge but are unable to be discharged due to a lack of appropriate aged care places to meet their needs.

Earlier this month, Miranda took part in a media call with the Minister for Health and Wellbeing Blair Boyer, where the State Government announced an investment in 20 additional transition care beds soon to open at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, providing additional capacity for older South Australians waiting for residential aged care to access to the support they need.

Miranda has taken part in a radio interview on the ABC Breakfast, and ABC TV news and online and was quoted in InDaily speaking on this issue.

Talking on the issue of stranded patients, Miranda said: “The older people that are stranded in hospital are having to put their lives on hold for months, even years, and this is not what any of us would want for ourselves or our loved ones. No one wants to live in a hospital.

“When older South Australians can’t get the aged care supports they need, either in their home or in residential aged care, they are more likely to end up in hospital.

“One third of South Australia’s stranded patients have dementia, and this challenge is even more urgent for them, because hospital environments can add to their distress.”

COTA SA has previously described stranded patients as a 'wicked problem', which falls between State and Federal responsibilities, and has no quick solution.