Advocates question plan to discharge elderly

Waiting for desired nursing home in hospital bed Ask any Ontario resident. Until the first option is available, they will have to move to another long-term care (LTC) facility, the state government said.

Health Secretary Sylvia Jones and LTC Minister Paul Calandra announced Thursday plans to increase hospital capacity and medical staff, including changes to the Long Term Care Act.

"Unfortunately, we have patients whose doctors say they no longer need to be hospitalized, but who need additional treatment and cannot go home," Calandra said. "These amendments, if passed, will make it easier to move these patients temporarily to long-term care facilities, allowing them to receive better care in a more comfortable environment while waiting for a bed in their preferred home."

The Department of LTC consults agencies and frontline partners for consistent placement guidelines to help patients stay close to their partners, spouses, loved ones and friends. He said he plans to consult with

While patients are not kicked out of hospital beds, this amendment will allow health authorities to communicate with patients and their families about why their needs are better met in hospitals. , you will be able to have longer "conversations". LTC home, he said.

Patients transferred to care homes do not have to pay more than they want, the government says.

Hospitals have long expressed concern that many acute care beds are occupied by "alternative care level" (ALC) patients.

The government has The plan also includes expanding the use of private clinics for backlog surgery and expanding on-site treatment options by paramedics, replacing 2,500 hospital beds. says to release.

Anthony Dale, president and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association, said that during the difficult fall and winter months of government planning, access to healthcare services would be limited. endorsed the overall strategy.

Jana Ray, chief operating officer of CanAge, a national advocacy group for older people, said change and innovation are needed to move Ontario's healthcare system forward. He said that treating him as a "bed blocker" was age discrimination.

The Ford government's plan raises many questions, she said.

"These changes seem to disenfranchise, treat our loved ones more violently than consent, and treat our loved ones like the balls of a health care shell in her game," said Ray. said in an email Thursday. "Replacing Ontario's frail and vulnerable population is not an option. The province needs to ensure Ontarians are able to meet people wherever the care provided is. Physical, cognitive, Spiritually, and yes, geographically."

NDP MPP's Wayne Gatestweeted. "Ford's new #LTC scheme is uninnovative and cruel. Elderly people have been separated from their loved ones and support systems and sent to cities they don't know. We won't hire a single new nurse or doctor. How does this mean more to him than to properly support a person?"

LTC Advocate Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos tweeted. "I'm sorry grandma....but I have to go to the military occupied #LTC which is two hours away from my family. People are actively avoiding it because of what they've learned."

aartuso@postmedia.com

Toronto Sun latest headlines, articles , thoughts and photos will be sent from the Newsroom to your inbox at noon.

By clicking the subscribe button, you agree to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email Post Media Networks Inc | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | }