A program designed to assist patients in transitioning from hospital care to their homes is expanding to all three hospitals in the Windsor-Essex region. The Hospital-to-Home (H2H) initiative, initially launched at Windsor Regional Hospital in partnership with Saint Elizabeth (SE) Health last October, will now also be available at Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH).
Expansion Details and Impact
Since its launch, H2H has enrolled 303 patients, each receiving between eight and sixteen weeks of comprehensive home care support. The program aims to onboard 15 to 20 patients per weekday, from Monday to Friday. As of May 8, one patient from HDGH and two from ESHC have been enrolled since the expansion on April 27.
Statements from Hospital Leaders
Kristin Kennedy, president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, stated in a media release: "This collaboration represents an important milestone in our shared commitment to patient-centred care and system integration, supporting smoother transitions from hospital to home for patients across our community."
Katelyn Dryden, interim president and CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare, emphasized the value of regional collaboration: "Partnerships like H2H demonstrate the value of regional collaboration in strengthening care close to home. By working together with Windsor Regional Hospital and our regional partners, we are able to connect patients with enhanced supports following discharge, helping them recover safely at home while improving the continuity of care across the region."
Bill Marra, president and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, added: "Having a coordinated approach to care for our patients is a vital piece in ensuring positive patient and family outcomes. This collaboration will further our goals of helping patients transition safely back to their home with the resources and support they require."
Funding and Future Outlook
The H2H program is funded through a $1.1-billion provincial home care investment announced by the Ontario government ahead of last year's Fall Economic Statement. This expansion underscores a growing commitment to patient-centred care and system integration across the region.
