For Immediate Release

May 30, 2008

Home And Community Care Is Key To Lowering Wait Times
McGuinty Government Investing $109 Million in Alternatives To Hospital Care

NEWS

Responding to challenges patients are facing in Kingston emergency rooms, the Ontario government is taking numerous coordinated steps to reduce ER wait times at Kingston General Hospital and improve patient satisfaction.
 
Kingston General Hospital will be receiving $1,094,993 from the Performance Fund which targets ERs facing the most immediate challenges

The Southeast LHIN will be receiving $1,135,105 from the Urgent Priorities Fund to help provide community alternatives to hospital care.

The plan to reduce ER wait times includes avoiding unnecessary admissions, improving flow within the ER and increasing community supports.

Today’s $109 Million announcement includes:

• $39.5 Million for a Performance Fund targeting Ontario’s 23 emergency rooms facing the most challenges, IT enhancements and coaching teams to enhance hospital efficiency  
• $38.5 million for increased home care services and enhanced integration between hospitals and Community Care Access Centres
• $22 million in new priority funding for Ontario’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks to invest in local solutions to further address ALC pressures
• $4.5 million for dedicated nurses to care for patients who arrive at ERs by ambulance to ease ambulance offload delays
• $4.5 million for new nurse-led outreach teams to provide more care to patients in long-term care homes to avoid transfer to the ER

QUOTES

“Reducing ER wait times will improve patient satisfaction and enhance confidence in our health care system,” said Gerretsen. “We’re helping our hospitals in the Kingston community take steps to reduce wait times in emergency rooms and also providing people with alternatives to hospital care wherever appropriate.”

QUICK FACTS

• There are 163 emergency rooms in the province, with 2.8 million people making more than five million visits to these ERs each year.
• 18.6 per cent of beds in Ontario hospitals are occupied by patients who require appropriate care outside of hospital.

CONTACT

Holly Wilson
Press Secretary
416-314-6739