Remedy Healthcare’s brochure says its…
Remedy Healthcare’s brochure says its Rehabilitation@Home program is based on a patient’s clinical needs, requires approval from the treating hospital team, and involves an assessment before discharge. Unfortunately, that was not my experience. I am in my 40s and have a very complex medical history.
Remedy was engaged directly by my health insurer, —I did not seek out its services. Even before my hip replacement, staff were trying to arrange home services without knowing me, my medical history, my postoperative needs or my home setup. That was the first time I asked them to back off and wait until my actual needs were known.
Immediately after surgery—and I mean immediately—my phone began ringing shortly after I returned from recovery. I was experiencing extreme pain, still receiving anaesthesia-related care and not yet fully alert, but they wanted to confirm services and bookings for my return home. Again, I said, “Not now.”
Minutes later, a hospital ward clerk approached my bedside asking me to provide consent for the same service and confirm the bookings. After receiving a clear “not now” directly from me, it felt as though Remedy had simply tried another way to obtain an answer. From that point, the calls continued over the following days.
As I write this, the hospital team actually caring for me—the clinicians who know my history, my needs and my postoperative complications—has not medically cleared me for discharge. Yet the pressure to organise home-based services continued to the point that I have now withdrawn all consent for this company to contact me.
This did not feel patient-centred. It felt like a push to move me out of hospital and minimise costs before my treating team had even determined that discharge was medically appropriate. Whether or not that was the intention, that was the impact of the experience.
Patients have the right to be informed, alert and free from pressure when making decisions about their healthcare. If this company is engaged on your behalf, be prepared to advocate firmly for yourself. Ask who referred you, what has been approved by your treating team, exactly what services are being proposed, and whether they are genuinely suitable for your medical needs and home circumstances. Do not allow yourself to be coerced into a decision that may place your health or recovery at risk.