THUNDER BAY -- More than a dozen people will have a new home soon, allowing some who have been staying at the hospital for more than a decade to finally move out.
The Northwest Local Health Integration Network, St. Joseph's Care Group, Brain Injury Services Northern Ontario and Hagi Community Services came together to get apartments for 13 people at McKellar Place, hoping to have everyone in by Christmas.
Some of the clients from BISNO have been in hospital for 14 years.
"That's a long time to be stuck in a hospital when you're better off living in the community,." executive director Alice Bellavance said.
Hagi executive director Dave Shannon said it will be great for people, some of them have been living four to a room, to finally get their own space. Everyone needs that.
"They have choice in their life," he said. "It's a wonderful opportunity."
It's also good for easing gridlock, which has plagued hospitals in the region. Shannon is hoping that this model will continue to be used to create more alternative level of care spaces.
"I certainly hope so. Although it's not the entire answer it will be we believe a critically important piece to the puzzle of easing gridlock," he said.
