Ontario Providing One-Time Funding to Support Alternative Level of Care and Patient Flow
February 15th 2024
Province providing funding to support Alternative Level of Care and Patient Flow initiatives
Thunder Bay – The Ontario government is providing $4,688,980 in funding to support the Alternative Level of Care (ALC) and Patient Flow initiatives in Thunder Bay for 2023-24. Funding will be provided to St. Joseph’s Care Group for Admission Diversion and Discharge Supports, which will assist with increased home, community and behavioral supports.
This investment is part of the $131 million one-time funding that is used to reduce ALC cases and support patient flow from hospitals to more appropriate settings.
“This funding from the Ministry of Health further demonstrates our government’s commitment to supporting the work of our healthcare leaders as they deliver holistic, innovative models of care,” said Kevin Holland, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan. “St. Joseph’s Care Group will use this funding to increase capacity in delivering more appropriate patient diversion pathways to the varied populations of their vast service area. We wish to thank The Honourable Syliva Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, for her prudent leadership in enabling the reduction of ALC cases and improved patient flow, thereby moving us that much closer to achieving our collective goal of the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
“When it comes to the healthcare needs of our region, funding that allows for innovation and local solutions is crucial. This $4.6 million investment has increased capacity for care closer to home across Northwestern Ontario, provided more care in the right place for people whose needs are not best met in a hospital, and enabled earlier interventions to keep people healthier, longer.” said Janine Black, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Care Group.
These initiatives were launched in 2022-23 to support health system and recovery, with current projections show a reduction of approximately 2200 ALC cases by the end of this fiscal year.
Breakdown of how this funding will be used:
- Willow Place Community Transitional Care Unit – $2,264,900
- Seniors Supportive Housing – $917, 080
- North West Regional Rehabilitative Care Program – $190,000
- Frailty Identification & Transition – $647,000
- Behavioural Supports Ontario – $630,000
- Behavioural Supports Ontario – $630,000