Bradford's The Elden Retirement Residence will be taking in 26 long-term care patients from Southlake Regional Health Centre in to free up hospital space.
“Our community partners in the Ontario health-care system are faced with a potential crisis of being overburdened, as has already occurred in many other countries,” said Dale Beasse, president of The Elden in a news release.
“There are numerous patients at Southlake who are currently awaiting placement in a long-term care home. The Elden will provide a comfortable and safe temporary home for these patients, while they wait for a long-term care bed to become available and help free up much needed space in the hospital.”
The Elden said strict safety measures are in place.
“Southlake is thrilled to partner with The Elden on this innovative model of care,” said Gayle Seddon, director of community programs and partnerships at Southlake. “With strict health protocols in place, we are confident that this is the best way to care for these seniors and help provide more space at Southlake in the coming months for people who need hospital care. We would also like to thank Ontario Health for their support of this important initiative.”
“I would like to congratulate The Elden and Southlake on this exciting collaboration,” said Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York--Simcoe. “This partnership can demonstrate the value of organizations working together to create new ways of delivering care, which can then be replicated in other communities across the province.”
The 152-unit retirement residence has been in lockdown procedures since the start of the pandemic, with strict public health protocols in place, including regular testing, staff only being permitted to work at The Elden, and regular disinfecting throughout the residence.
Patients transferring from Southlake will require negative COVID-19 tests before moving to the residence and will be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival.
Hiring is currently underway to help accommodate the new temporary residents, with some moving in as early as yesterday.
