WRHA Annual Report 2007/2008 - Winnipeg Regional Health ...

Strategic Directions:Achievements and Challenges Treatment and Support (continued)• Exploration of ways to provide specialized pediatricservices in the community• Planning for community-based wound care• Planning and development for three new ACCESS centresin Winnipeg are underway (St. James-Assiniboia,NorWest, Downtown). ACCESS centres in Winnipeg provideoutreach support to communities, ensuring accessibleand effective social services for residents within theWinnipeg Health Region• Implementing falls prevention initiatives for seniors• Strategy to increase immunization rates in targetedpopulations• Home Phototherapy Services for Newborns is now in itssecond year with 75 referrals in 2008• Enhanced supports within designated seniors’ buildingsto support seniors living in the community (Supports toSeniors in Group Living)• Specialized supports are provided to assist people withcomplex health and personal care needs to live in thecommunity (eg. ventilator-dependent individuals andyoung disabled persons)• Opening of a Health Centre for Seniors at Deer LodgeCentre is planned for Fall 2008. A range of medical, socialand supportive services will be provided in one location tosupport at-risk elderly living in the communitySome hospitals within the region have been able to meetthe mandated 10% reduction in length of stay. The WinnipegRegional Health Authority continues to pursue options in servicedelivery that are expected to yield even more positive results inthe longer term.As part of the Long Term Care Strategy, the range of communityhousing with support alternatives to assist individuals to live inthe community has been expanded. More supportive housingoptions are available to help seniors continue living in thecommunity and delay or avoid Personal Care Home placementuntil a higher level of care is required. The Irene Baron EdenCentre recently opened and filled 48 supportive housing spacesaddressing this type of alternate care setting. Length of stayin hospitals will be reduced as more affordable communityhousing options become available.Long Term CareThe Long Term Care Strategy was introduced in response tostatistics which show that Manitoba has the highest rate ofpersonal care home placement in the country at 126 beds per1,000 people over the age of 75. In March 2008, there were5,458 residents in personal care homes in the Winnipeg region.The five-year strategy will help to improve personal care homeenvironments and create more single-bed rooms instead ofshared accommodations. Increasing options for care in thecommunities and improving personal care home environmentsresult in shorter hospital stays and increased bed availability inacute care facilities and emergency departments.The Long Term Care Strategy involves specific initiatives thataddress the following issues:• Availability of personal care home beds• Supportive housing• Assisted living• Transitional living/specialized supports• Ventilator - dependent individuals• Supports to seniors in group living• PRIME program• Dementia careThe Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is working with theCentre on Aging to look at home care and long term care datathat will help direct individuals to the right housing and serviceoption. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority will also build onthe use of the regional UM System to identify why people maybe waiting in hospital and what housing or care option would bemost appropriate for their care needs.In October 2007, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority openedthe 80-bed River Park Gardens personal care home providingmodern facilities and services to residents. Located in southeastWe will communicate withpatients on an ongoing basis,keeping them fully informedof all optionswww.wrha.mb.ca