London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is rolling out a new initiative aimed at improving patient outcomes by ensuring a smoother transition from hospital care to recovery at home. The program, announced on December 4, 2025, provides additional support during the critical period immediately following discharge.
Bridging the Gap in Patient Care
The newly introduced transition to home health care program is designed to address a common challenge in the healthcare system: the gap that can occur when patients leave the hospital. LHSC is partnering with SE Health, a national home care provider, to deliver this enhanced service. The initiative focuses on offering extended, hands-on assistance to ensure patients continue to heal effectively in their own homes.
Patient Elisabeth Hutchison, pictured at LHSC with a caregiver from SE Health, has experienced the program firsthand. "It's nice to be able to get that extra help," Hutchison remarked, highlighting the value of the supplemental care during her recovery process. The program aims to reduce readmission rates and improve overall patient satisfaction by providing tailored support.
How the New Program Operates
The program involves a coordinated handoff between LHSC staff and SE Health professionals. Before a patient is discharged, a care plan is developed. SE Health providers then visit the patient at home to assist with medication management, wound care, mobility, and other post-hospitalization needs. This seamless continuity is intended to prevent complications and support a full recovery.
The launch on December 4, 2025, marks a significant step for LHSC in rethinking patient care pathways. The collaboration leverages SE Health's expertise in community care to extend the hospital's reach directly into patients' homes in London, Ontario, and the surrounding region.
Implications for the Future of Healthcare
This transition program represents a growing trend in Canadian healthcare towards integrated care models that prioritize patient experience and outcomes beyond the hospital walls. By investing in these bridge services, LHSC aims to alleviate pressure on hospital beds and emergency departments, creating a more efficient and patient-centric system.
If successful, the model could serve as a blueprint for other hospitals across Canada seeking to improve their discharge processes and enhance long-term patient wellness. The focus remains on ensuring that the journey home from the hospital is not an abrupt end to care, but a supported next step in the healing process.