TORONTO, Ont. - The provincial government is implementing a temporary emergency order granting doctors the ability to transfer patients no longer requiring hospital care to long-term care or retirement homes without their consent in an effort to free space for COVID-19 patients.
Minister of Health Christine Elliott made the announcement on Wednesday as the province continues to struggle through a third wave of COVID-19 resulting in a record number of hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions.
“The spread of COVID-19 variants continues to pose a significant threat to our health system’s critical care capacity and the lives of Ontarians,” Elliott said.
The temporary order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protections Act allows hospitals to transfer patients to long-term care or retirement homes without obtaining consent from the patient or a caregiver.
According to Elliott, the order can only be used during major surge events where there is an increased demand for critical care.
“While this is an extremely difficult decision to make, the consequences of not doing so could be devastating if we don’t have the hospital beds we urgently need to care for the growing number of COVID-19 patients,” Elliott said.
“Building on the more than 3,400 beds that have been added to the system since the beginning of the pandemic, our government will continue to take all necessary actions to ensure Ontarians have a safe place to be cared for in our hospitals.”
Transfers will only take place when an attending physician is satisfied the patient will receive the required care at the long-term care or retirement home and will not compromise a patients medical condition.
The homes must also agree that they can provide the care necessary for any patients transferred from hospitals. Efforts will also be made to ensure all patients transferred are fully immunized.
“Ontario’s retirement homes can provide a safe and welcoming environment with the vast majority of residents being fully vaccinated during Phase One of the province’s rollout,” said Minster for Seniors and Accessibility, Raymond Cho. “As we work together to support Ontario’s health network, retirement homes are well positioned to assist by providing the appropriate level of care to patients in need.”