A partnership that helps patients transition from hospital care to home recuperation has benefited from nearly $2 million in provincial investment.
Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) discussed the early success of its Hospital-to-Home (H2H) initiative at a media event on Tuesday morning.
The hospital has teamed up with SE Health, a national social enterprise behind the success of H2H programs. It provides wraparound services for up to 16 weeks of post-hospital care at home.
Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie said the program goes a long way toward easing crowding and wait times at hospitals.
"Patients can recover safely and comfortably at home," said Dowie. "It helps to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospital re-admissions."
The funding is part of a $1.1-billion commitment from Queens Park for home health care, which was announced this past fall in a lead-up to the government's Fall Economic Statement.
The program performed intake on its first Windsor-Essex patient in October, and is now up to 115 patients. Twice that number of patients are expected to be onboarded by the end of March.
The H2H program is designed for patients who frequently end up in the emergency room, who may be discharged from hospital with the appropriate supports, or who could benefit from rehabilitative support. Eligible patients must reside in Windsor-Essex and have at least two identified home services.
Doris Davis is a beneficiary of the program. She and her husband Chuck, both 82, believe that the program is a godsend.
"When I did get her home, it just made me feel like we weren't abandoned. We were able to transition from here, where she was getting lots of attention, to home, where she was getting lots of attention also," said Chuck.
Chuck said that as a result of the program, Doris has been able to avoid falls, sleep in her own bed, and have frequent contact with hospital team members. He became emotional when describing how the program helped him as well, as he also has some health challenges.
"I've been able to just handle it," said Chuck. "I do all the cooking and everything, and it's just great to provide whatever attention she needs to."
