Hunter rehabilitation services to receive $350,000 boost

The New South Wales government has announced a $350,000 funding boost to expand rehabilitation services within the Hunter New England Local Health District. Included in the 2026-27 NSW Budget, the investment aims to grow the ‘Rehab In The Home’ service across the Lake Macquarie region.

The program is designed to provide eligible patients with recovery care in their own homes or residential aged care facilities. This initiative seeks to reduce the necessity for hospital visits and travel to appointments. The expansion will specifically include community orthopaedic rehabilitation and discharge support for patients returning home from hospitals on the Central Coast.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park noted that the service is intended to benefit older people, individuals with disabilities, and those managing multiple chronic health conditions. The expansion follows previous rollouts of nurse practitioner-led outreach clinics in southern Lake Macquarie.