EXPLORE USE OF RIDEAU REGIONAL AS “RELIEF VALVE” FOR ALC PATIENTS – MPP’S
(Brockville) – Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman and Lanark--Frontenac--Lennox and Addington MPP Randy Hillier are calling on the provincial Liberal government to utilize the soon-to-be-closed Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls as a transitional ALC (Alternative Level of Care) facility for eastern Ontario.
“We have a serious problem in eastern Ontario with ALC patients occupying acute care beds in hospitals because alternatives are not available” said Hillier.
The MPPs pointed to recent statistics indicating that over 400 hospital acute care beds are tied up by ALC patients in the Champlain and South East LHIN.
“The situation is creating a myriad of problems, from cancelled surgeries to plugged emergency wards, as hospital beds are not available” said Runciman “ There’s also a real human cost associated with this problem” he added. “We’ve had calls from people whose surgeries planned weeks or months in advance, even people prepped for surgery, who’ve been turned away at the last moment because of a lack of beds.”
Hillier stated that “Rideau Regional ought to be used as a ‘transit station’ or ‘relief valve’ for ALC patients providing temporary care as opposed to the McGuinty government’s current course of action that would leave the facility idle or vacant.”
“Providing a temporary alternative to a hospital bed, an alternative that already has the staff and infrastructure to provide necessary care levels, makes a great deal of sense” asserted Runciman. “It could save significant dollars and eliminate many of the challenges hospitals are currently coping with.”
The MPPs will be pursuing this issue with Community and Social Services Minister. Madelaine Meilleur and Health Minister, George Smitherman.
