**** NSHA Media Release
Creation of temporary Community Transition Unit
COVID-19 has created longer waits across the healthcare system for services like timely access to community-based care. To increase capacity in our healthcare system as we move into wave 2, Government, Nova Scotia Health and Northwood have set up a temporary Community Transition Unit.
“The pandemic has created pressures and challenges across the healthcare system,” said Vickie Sullivan, operations executive director, Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health. “When Nova Scotians who need nursing home care, home care or other services and supports to live on their own, and are waiting in a hospital bed, it can have a ripple effect across the larger healthcare system.”
The unit will support patients waiting in hospital to transition back into the community. It will also help reduce pressures in acute care by making more hospital beds available for those who need that level of care.
The unit has space for 50 patients. Nova Scotia Health will begin to discharge patients who are waiting for placement to long term care, for home care or for other supports, and who have assessed care needs that can be met at this location. Moves will begin in early December and will continue to take place as patients are transitioned into the community. Northwood will oversee operations and provide care.
The unit will be setup on two floors of a local hotel that have been adapted to support patients’ care needs. Infection prevention and control measures, public health guidelines, and COVID-19 measures and restrictions will be in effect at the unit.
“Northwood is very pleased to be partnering with the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health in this initiative,” said Janet Simm, president and CEO, Northwood.
“We will bring our wealth of experience and expertise in community care to ensure high quality care to patients transferred into our care at this temporary location.”
The unit will provide a number of supports based on the needs of patients including nursing care, physician coverage, Continuing Care Assistant or Personal Care Worker support, allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy, and services like housekeeping, laundry and food service.
