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The Manitoba government is adding 68 transitional care beds to facilities across the province to address emergency department wait times, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced on Friday.
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“These beds are about improving care for you and reducing wait times for everyone in Manitoba,” Asagwara said in a press release. “When we were elected, it was clear something needed to be done to address access block in emergency departments, which happens when admitted patients wait to be placed in appropriate care and it backs up in the emergency waiting room.
“A bed can’t open without the staff in place, so we’re moving forward methodically to ensure patients get safe care. We’ve made good progress — with almost half of these beds already open and the rest coming by the end of the year.”
Transitional care beds assist in moving patients from acute care to spaces where they can wait for long-term services or discharge. This initiative is aimed at improving patient flow and reducing emergency department congestion.
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The government is providing $1.7 million in capital and $3.7 million annually to support the new beds. The distribution is as follows: 15 beds in Selkirk for seniors and patients needing additional care, eight beds at Misericordia Health Centre for similar purposes, 25 beds at Holy Family Personal Care Home for seniors awaiting personal care home admission, 20 beds at St. Boniface Street Links for patients discharged from hospital without housing.
Yvonne Oxer, a nurse in Selkirk said, “Having worked for over 40 years in the Selkirk emergency room, I see the need to improve patient flow to reduce waits and improve care. Our goal in this unit is to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for patients who no longer require acute care services but still need support as they transition out of hospital.”
To date, 35 of the new beds are staffed and operational, with the remaining beds expected to be fully open by year-end.
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