The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance is using some of its $600,000 in provincial funding to purchase 10 beds in long term care facilities.
That means people waiting on beds in those homes, the large majority seniors, will get out of hospital faster making room for people with acute illnesses, like the flu, to get a bed in hospital. “Instead of simply adding beds to our hospitals, we reached out to local Long-Term Care facilities to see if they had capacity to admit appropriate individuals into “non-funded” beds,” says Andrew Williams, HPHA President, and CEO.
“Three key benefits will come from these partnerships,” adds Williams. “First and foremost, patients will be in the best locations for their care needs. Secondly, better value for money will be realized as costs in Long-Term Care are lower than in hospitals. Finally, by not adding beds to our hospitals, we avoid unnecessary competition for staff.”
The program will be re-evaluated in March.
