Alberta increasing home care funding to open hospital beds for COVID-19 patients – CTV
Sept. 10, 2021
EDMONTON – The Alberta government announced on Thursday funds to increase capacity for the home care system to make room for COVID-19 patients filling up the province’s ICUs, but no new measures to reduce the spread of the virus, and no vaccine passports.
The province is spending $36 million to pay home care workers more and hire additional employees to care for more Albertans in their own homes, instead of hospitals.
“Increase in staffing will mean that we can move more patients home from the hospital when they are ready,” Health Minister Tyler Shandro said.
Shandro said there are 400 Albertans waiting to be discharged from the hospital to go to their continuing care facilities.
“It’s better for the system and other patients because it frees up opportunities for the next patient who needs it,” Shandro said.
