For Immediate Release

February 10, 2005

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT IMPROVES ACCESS TO LONG-TERM CARE IN KINGSTON AND THE ISLANDS
Alternate Levels Of Care Strategy Will See Patients Discharged From Hospitals Sooner

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is investing in 12 new convalescence care beds and 40 interim LTC beds for patients in Kingston-Frontenac, Leannox and Addington who no longer need acute hospital care John Gerretsen, MPP announced today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

“Our government is making this investment so that people in the riding of Kingston and The Islands can receive their health care in the best possible setting,” said Gerretsen. “Instead of having them remain in hospital after the need for acute care is past, we are creating beds and improving care in our long-term care homes so that people can get the care they need closer to home.”

The McGuinty government today announced a $29.2 million Alternate Level of Care Strategy that includes:

• $10 million to create up to 500 interim long-term care (LTC) beds for people who are waiting in hospital for a permanent LTC bed in their community
• $5.75 million to establish up to 340 convalescence care beds in LTC homes for people who no longer need intensive hospital care but are not yet ready to return home.
• $13.45 million for the High Intensity Needs Fund (HINF) to purchase equipment and supplies needed for the care of patients who require the highest levels of care in a long-term care setting.

The interim care and convalescence care bed numbers have been allocated on a regional basis across the province. Long-term care homes and hospitals within each region can now apply for this funding where appropriate.

“This investment will make the best use of our health care resources while relieving pressure on hospitals, which often find themselves providing all kinds of care to all kinds of patients,” said Smitherman.

Today’s announcement is part of the McGuinty government’s comprehensive plan to improve health care in Ontario. It’s a plan that includes reducing wait times for key procedures, creating Family Health Teams, increasing the number of doctors and nurses, and investing heavily in community-based health care in order to ease the pressure on hospitals and deliver care where patients need it most — closer to home.

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