Ontario provides $2.8M for transitional hospital beds at QHC

Quinte Health Care (QHC) hospitals will receive $2,813,000 from the province to fund up to 29 additional transitional care beds and enhance Intensive Care Unit capacity.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith made the announcement Wednesday, noting the beds will be allocated based on the greatest need among the four hospitals.

“This funding bolsters their capacity to respond to COVID-19, while continuing to offer the procedures we all depend on in a timely fashion.”

In the coming weeks, the transitional care beds will be allocated based need across QHC’s four hospitals – at Picton, Belleville, Quinte West and Bancroft. The funding will also allow the regional ICU at Belleville to expand from 17 to 18 beds and upgrade three existing ICU beds to Level 3, which includes the ability to ventilate.

“We are grateful to the provincial government for this essential investment to help address increased capacity at hospitals across Ontario, including Quinte Health Care,” said Mary Clare Egberts, QHC President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s an acknowledgement that the Ontario government is focused on supporting the health care needs of the communities we serve.”

Carol Smith Romeril, QHC Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, added “the pandemic has created pressures on hospitals, including more patients requiring an extended stay in hospital. Having the financial resources to support the delivery of safe, quality care to the high number of patients in our hospitals is essential as we face the uncertainties of the pandemic, combined with the upcoming flu season.”

The funds are part of the government’s $116.5-million investment to create 766 more beds at 32 hospitals and alternative health facilities across the province aimed at reducing surgical backlogs and improving access to care.
These beds are in addition to an initial $234.5-million investment for 139 critical care beds and up to 1,349 hospital beds included in Ontario’s fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19.

The total investment of $351 million will result in more than 2,250 new beds at 57 hospitals and alternate health facilities across Ontario.

The government will continue to monitor and assess the health system’s needs and address any challenges hospitals may face – particularly in light of a recent increase in active cases.

Smith said it remains vital for the government to continue to protect vulnerable populations and for each Ontarian to follow public health advice.