Ontario government announces next phase of 'plan to stay open' ahead of predictions of likely rise in respiratory illnesses in coming months .
The plan focuses on "stabilizing and restoring the health system" and aims to add thousands of health workers and free up hospital beds. Officials say the additions will help ease the strain on the broader health care system, which has been understaffed and severely strained over the past few months.
An 18-page document released Thursday noted, "Historically, the fall and winter have been periods of increased cases of respiratory illness, with more cases involving emergency departments, hospitals, and long-term care. It puts a strain on the broader healthcare system."
“Omicron will also be included this year. Much more needs to be done to manage the current pressures, further advance the surgical backlog, and properly prepare for the upcoming winter surge.
Long-term care facility residents transferred to alternative housing
Progressive Conservative government introduced legislation to wait for hospitalized elderly patients to be transferred to long-term care facilities. intend to do something. Alternate facilities that may be in another community until their preferred location opens.
Officials say the new policy will free up 250 hospital beds in his first six months.
The government said there are "mandatory guidelines" used to ensure that patients stay close to their loved ones and that there will be no additional costs. However, little detail is provided on what these guidelines entail.
Long-term care beds reserved for COVID-19 isolation will also be available by the end of the summer. Officials say the decision was made on the advice of the chief medical officer, who will release 1,000 beds within six months.
They also want to expand programs that allow paramedics to transport patients outside the emergency room or treat them on-site. According to the government, a pilot program showed that 94% of patients did not visit an emergency department in the days following treatment.
The plan stipulates that these policies will 'release' or 'make available' hospital beds rather than creating new ones.
Additional Health Workers
The PC has committed to adding up to 6,000 health workers to the Ontario system.
To do this, the government will temporarily cover the costs of testing, applying and registering internationally trained and retired nurses. This will reduce financial barriers and save workers about $1,500, they say.
It is unclear how much this will cost the taxpayer.
The "Plan to Stay Open" was put forward at the end of March as a strategy to "build a stronger and more resilient health system that is ready to respond to crises."
This included a permanent wage hike for Personal Support his workers, the creation of two new medical schools, financial investment in nursing programs, increased domestic production of personal protective equipment, and the provision of 3,000 It included the creation of new hospital beds. for the next ten years.
This is breaking news. More coming.
