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Health Sciences North to receive funding for 16 more beds

Province announces funds for more than 2,000 patient spaces across Ontario
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Health Sciences North will receive provincial funding for 16 more beds. (File)

Health Sciences North will receive provincial funding for 16 more beds.

An announcement on Oct. 23 from the province stated that Ontario will be providing funding for more than 2,000 additional beds and spaces to improve patient access to the care they need.

The Northeast LHIN will receive funding for 50 additional beds and spaces, with Health Sciences North in Sudbury receiving the biggest share, enough for 16 beds. Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, and Timmins will each receive funds for an additional eight beds.

There is also funding earmarked for 31 additional spaces and beds, which has not been allocated to a particular health service provider within the Northeast LHIN, but will be allocated based on need.

Funding for an additional four short-term transitional care spaces is also being provided through a partnership with Health Sciences North and Indepence Centre and Network.

The beds will be either in hospitals or homes or other facilities in communities across Ontario.

Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was at Sinai Health System Monday to announce the investment, which includes making more than 1,200 additional hospital beds available across Ontario. 

This funding comes as hospitals are preparing for an annual increase in demand due to the approaching flu season.

The province will also help patients continue to get the care they need as they transition from hospital to home by:

  • Providing 207 affordable housing units for seniors who need additional community supports when they are discharged from hospital.
  • Creating 503 transitional care spaces outside of hospital for up to 1,700 patients who don't require care in a hospital.
  • Reopening 150 beds at Humber River Hospital's former Finch site and 75 beds at University Health Network's former Hillcrest site to provide care for those transitioning out of hospital.

Ontario is providing $140 million to make more hospital beds available and enhance home care services. This investment includes $100 million for hospitals to address increased demands for care, and $40 million for post-hospital and preventative care at home.

In the 2017 budget, Ontario committed $24 million to ensure patients are receiving care in the right place. 

As part of this commitment, the province will provide $21 million to fund 22 projects for short-term, transitional care, and $3 million to help seniors in hospital who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with permanent housing and community support.


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