Ontario will allow hospitals to move chronically ill hospital patients out of hospitals and into long-term care homes without their consent to free up space for COVID-19 patients, the province announced Wednesday.
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OTTAWA – As the country battles a crushing third wave of COVID-19 that has filled hospitals and led to deaths and crippling economic lockdowns, provinces have declined to use several supports already available from the federal government, including a new drug treatment, rapid tests and help making contact tracing calls.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced military doctors and nurses would be sent to Ontario and the government is also considering requests for more help in other parts of the country. But as this new help arrives, some of the previous supports the government has sent have gone unused.
Elliott, top health bureaucrat make announcement as Ontario hospitals struggle with COVID-19 caseload toronto.ctvnews.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from toronto.ctvnews.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ont. Allowing Patient Hospital Transfers Without Consent to Free Up ICU Beds
In a news conference at Queen’s Park, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott announces a temporary emergency measure that will allow Ontario hospitals to transfer patients to long-term care or retirement homes without the patient’s consent to make room for COVID-19 patients. Hospitals will only make the transfer when it is absolutely necessary and when doctors have determined the patient no longer requires hospital care. She is joined by Matthew Anderson, president and CEO of Ontario Health. (April 28, 2021) (no interpretation)