The right care in the right place: New partnership connects patients to care at home after discharge
A new program launches today in Waterloo Region to help adults who no longer require hospital care to continue their recovery, healing and rehabilitation in the comfort of their own homes.
St. Joseph’s Home Care’s Hospital to Home Program is delivered by St. Mary’s General Hospital in partnership with Bayshore Integrated Care Solutions. The program helps bridge patients as they are discharged from the hospital, providing care for them in their homes while other longer-term community-based services are arranged. The new program is a step forward to bringing St. Joseph’s Home Care services to Waterloo Region.
The program is developed and operated in partnership with Home and Community Care Support Services and the members in the KW4 Ontario Health Team (OHT), a partnership of over 40 members dedicated to working collaboratively to build integrated models of care, supporting better patient outcomes.
“Our goal is to get each patient back home as quickly and safely as possible after they receive the acute care that they need, but that’s not always feasible,” says Brandon Douglas, Vice President of Clinical Services at St. Mary’s General Hospital. “Often, we are unable to discharge a patient because they do not yet have the services and support that they need to be at home safely. By remaining in our care, this means that an acute bed is not available for someone who needs it. This new partnership is one of the new and innovative ways we are working together to ensure that the right care is provided in the right place for each patient along their entire healing journey. We are grateful to our partners for working together in new ways to care beyond our walls and meet the growing needs in our communities for home-based care,” says Douglas.
St. Joseph’s Home Care and St. Mary’s General Hospital are members of St. Joseph’s Health System, one of Canada’s largest healthcare corporations serving more than two million Canadians. “Our home care teams are experts in supporting patients with complex health conditions with person-centred, compassionate care in a comfortable environment,” says Elizabeth Buller, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health System. “Together with our partners, we are pleased to continue to grow our home care services through St. Joseph’s Health System, connecting patients to the care they need and empowering them to live and thrive in the community.”
“We are excited to partner with St. Mary’s General Hospital in developing this innovative model to help bridge healthcare services for patients transitioning from hospital to home,” says Danielle Holler, Regional Director, Bayshore HealthCare Integrated Care Solutions. “Providing these services supports patient-centred care and also helps ease pressures on the over-burdened acute care system.”
The program will benefit patients as they can continue to receive the right care while ensuring that hospital beds are freed up for patients requiring urgent and complex care, provided only in an acute setting.
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More Information:
Dayna Giorgio (she/her)
Director, Strategic Communications
St. Mary’s General Hospital
dgiorgio@smgh.ca | 519-895-6540
Nicole Vaillancourt
Senior Communications and Engagement Officer
St. Joseph's Health System
nvaillan@stjoes.ca | 289-259-5080
About St. Mary’s General Hospital
Located in the heart of Kitchener, St. Mary’s is home to the Regional Cardiac Centre, Regional Chest Program and Regional Eye Program. As leaders in our field recognized globally for world-class, innovative healthcare, our vision of “Inspiring Excellence. Healthier Together” is not just about our approach to patient-centred care, it’s also about our commitment to our staff.
Celebrating a century of care this year, St. Mary’s provides compassionate care to our communities serving over 1.4 residents locally and beyond each year. We are the second-largest acute care hospital in the St. Joseph’s Health System with a team of over 2,000 staff, physicians and volunteers dedicated to ensuring patients receive the highest-quality care possible. Learn more about Our Mission, Values & History and the future of care.
About St. Joseph’s Health System
St. Joseph’s Health System is one of Canada’s largest healthcare corporations serving more than two million Canadians. Our six-member organizations bring unique strengths and services, from acute care, long-term care, home and community care, to rehabilitation, hospice and community support services. We are home to a number of regional and provincial programs, including mental health and addictions, cardiac care and renal care, and are one of the largest providers of not-for-profit long-term care in Ontario with more than 1,000 long-term care beds.
Rooted in the 172-year legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph, we believe in the transformative power of mission-based healthcare. Through a system-wide commitment to caring for the whole person — body, mind and spirit — we are advancing our shared mission of compassionate care, faith and discovery.
Together, our 10,000 healthcare workers are leading the future of integrated care to Advance Care Beyond Boundaries, Amplify our Impact, and Invest in the Teams of Today and Tomorrow.
Click here to learn more about St. Joseph’s Health System.
About Bayshore HealthCare
Bayshore HealthCare is a Canadian-owned company and one of the country’s leading home and community healthcare service providers. The company aims to enhance the quality of life, well-being, dignity and independence of Canadians of all ages. With locations across the country, including 80+ home care offices, 11 pharmacies and 100+ community care clinics, Bayshore has more than 18,000 staff members and provides care to over 350,000 clients annually. Bayshore has been a recipient of Canada’s Best Managed Companies award since 2006. https://www.bayshore.ca/