The managing director of Australia’s first ‘hospital in the home’ program has been recognised as one of the country’s top entrepreneurs.

Virginia Bullock was named the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Central Region.

Ms Bullock founded Home Support Services (HSS) in South Australia in 1989 and today the organisation provides in-home care and assistance to more than 20,000 Australians every year.

The company aims to free up acute care beds by helping patients to leave hospital early or to avoid entering hospital altogether.

It has offices in South Australia and Queensland and employs 350 people. The services it provides include wound and pain management, palliative care and rehabilitation following surgery.

Ms Bullock said the award recognised the valuable services that her organisation provides.

“When I started HSS, the concept of hospital avoidance through health care in the home had not been tried before,” she said.

“It was a pioneering moment that helped to change the face of health care in
Australia.”

Ms Bullock said she decided to establish the business when she had to send her father to hospital to die from cancer instead of keeping him at home.

“I am incredibly proud of HSS and the valuable services we provide to the community,” she said.

“My vision for the future is to continue working with Governments and health providers to encourage even more people out of hospital by caring for them in their own homes.”