September 26, 2022: Message from Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Burlington Region Hospitals
In response to province-wide health system capacity constraints, the Government of Ontario has passed Bill 7 (More Beds, Better Care Act), which impacts patients who are clinically determined as ready for discharge and are awaiting placement in their preferred long-term care home. Read the full message here.
The Medicine Unit on F5 and Satellite Health Facility (SHF) see patients who need an Alternative Level of Care (ALC). On F5 and the SHF, we care for patients who have stable conditions and no longer need acute care services. However, these conditions cannot be managed at home.
Our patients are waiting to be transferred to:
- complex continuing care
- a long-term care home (also known as a nursing home)
- a rehabilitation unit
- a retirement home; or
- a convalescent or palliative care setting, or
- home with enhanced supports
Patients may also be transferred to a temporary placement (also called a transitional placement) in a retirement home to await long-term care placement.
The team provides daily activities and recreation for patients through the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), including a monthly schedule of activities run by volunteers in our sunroom (specific to F5). Activities include games, movies, therapeutic pet visits, and music therapy.
