With an expected rise in respiratory illnesses in the fall and winter, the Ford government has released an 18-page document outlining its plan to ease pressure on Ontario’s health care system.
According to the “Plan to Stay Open,” legislation will be introduced to shift those waiting in hospital for a long term care bed to an “alternative facility” until their preferred spot opens up.
“Health care will continue to be provided to the people of Ontario through the use of your OHIP card,” Jones said during a news conference Thursday morning. “We see the value of having some of those independent health facilities, that have existed in the province of Ontario for literally decades, to take some of the pressure off our health care partners.”
Jones said part of that will be shifting patients waiting for a spot in long term care to a “temporary” home, potentially in another jurisdiction, and opening up hospital beds that had been set aside for COVID isolation.
That is expected to free up roughly 2500 hospital beds across the province and reduce wait times for care.
As well, the government plans to temporarily cover exam, application, and registration fees for internally trained and retired nurses, and increase the number of nurse practitioners working in long term care homes.
