Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
The Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Community Steering Group met in Sudbury on Monday to look at real and tangible solutions for the ALC issue. One of the most pressing issues identified by the group was the gap in bed capacity that will occur when the Sudbury Regional Hospital moves to one site in December.
The second issue addressed was the need to bring some relief to
health system pressures caused by the ALC situation.
"We are pleased to be moving forward with our Sudbury partners," said Terry Tilleczek, NE LHIN senior director, planning, integration and community engagement and co-chair of the ALC Community Steering Committee, in a release.
"The NE LHIN recognizes the significant ALC pressures impacting all communities across our LHIN and is keen to share the successes of this Steering Group to ensure ALC as a system-wide issue can be resolved."
While the Steering Group's overarching action plan will be confirmed within the next few weeks, some of the priorities to be developed include: looking at alternate care housing options for ALC patients from facilities external to the health care community, such as retirement homes; developing supportive housing recommendations to outline the development of more than 200 supportive housing units in Sudbury by 2010 (as identified in the Northeast Local Health Integration Network's Housing Study); and looking at how to ensure new health care service development will have the ability to offer specialized services such as rehabilitation and convalescent care.
"The ALC situation is not a one-sector issue; it is complex and involves many partners," said Richard Joly, steering committee member and executive director of the North East Community Care Access Centre. "I am very pleased to see the community coming together to play an important role in finding and implementing solutions."
The Steering Group will meet again on Jan. 28 to finalize the Action Plan, which will include an implementation plan, identification of lead organizations and time frames.
