Guelph General Hospital announces new program for in-home care

The transition from the hospital bed to home just became a lot easier for some patients at Guelph General Hospital (GGH).

A new program called the GGH@Home program was created in partnership with Bayshore Integrated Care Solutions and is designed to help patients with in-home care. Patients over 18 with complex health needs will now receive assistance with in-home care after their hospital stay, which GGH says will help to make “a smooth transition.”

“This program promotes timely access to care, service, and supports for patients, especially seniors, and their families in the most appropriate setting; ensuring safe return to home from the hospital as soon as possible and preventing re-admission.” Andrea Lucas, Vice President of Patient Service and Chief Nursing Executive of GGH, said in a press release. “At the same time, it helps keep hospital beds in use for those who most need them.”

The hospital says the goal is to help free up space in hospital beds for patients who need them, rather than lose critical space to patients who could be discharged, but have no access to home care.

“Each patient who becomes part of the GGH@Home program will meet with their BICS contact along with the hospital team, and family to create a care plan,” Jennifer Murphy-Novak, Senior Director of Patient Services at GGH, said in a press release. “The first home visit will be scheduled before the patient leaves the hospital, and follow-up will continue at regular intervals for 16 weeks by BICS staff.”

Funding for the program was made available by the Ontario government and is expected to help around 174 patients a year.