KHSC receives funding for 25 surge beds this winter
KHSC receives funding for 25 surge beds this winter
Credit
Matthew Manor

A recent funding announcement from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Dr. Eric Hoskins will address the capacity challenges in Ontario hospitals by opening up 2,000 additional beds across the province this winter.

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) will receive $2.5 million in funds to open up an additional 25 surge beds at our Kingston General Hospital site. Two additional neonatal bassinets in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were also included in the announcement.

KHSC was also chosen to participate in a provincial pilot project as we partner with community agencies to support patients outside of the hospital. Ten transitional care beds will be funded in local retirement homes for patients that no longer require the acute care provided by KHSC, but aren’t yet ready to return home.

The funding announcement is timely, as hospitals across the province prepare for a potentially severe influenza season.

This funding will help KHSC manage the high inpatient capacity, enhance timely access to inpatient services, and improve the overall patient flow throughout the Kingston General Hospital site.

“Each winter we see our patient volumes increase as a result of influenza,” says President & CEO Dr. David Pichora. “This funding will ensure that we have the resources required to meet the anticipated increases in health care needs for our region while continuing to deliver the high-quality patient care that our patients expect.”

KHSC will continue to work closely with the Ministry to ensure population health needs are met, and to ensure that patients receive the best possible care, in the right place, at the right time, now and into future.

“Our government continues taking action to ensure people across Ontario have access to the care they need, when and where they need it,” said Dr. Hoskins. “By investing in hospitals and home care, we are reducing wait times and improving the patient experience for all Ontarians.”