A Seniors' Hospital of Eastern Ontario?

In my campaign brochure, I mention my intention to lobby for a network of "Seniors' Hospitals" in the province, similar to those that serve the needs of children - like Ottawa's CHEO, Sick Kids in Toronto, and the Children's Hospital in London.

This might seem to be a rather radical concept, but I do believe the idea deserves some investigation.

First, it is no secret that we have an aging population. In the next two to three decades, almost 23 per cent of Canada's population will be in the seniors' demographic. As an aside, that number was closer to 7 percent three decades ago when we initiated a great number of benefit programs.

It is also known that the majority of use of the healthcare system occurs in the later part of life. Also, the use of emergency services is far more expensive than other types of care.

On a personal note, our son was treated for a congenital heart defect at CHEO, and the quality of care and service was beyond measure. I reason that this was due to the specialization both in terms of the demographic, as well as the types of illnesses commonly treated.

If a mirror network of Seniors' Hospitals were established, they could offer services and care specifically tailored to the needs of older individuals; they could specialize in research and treatment of illnesses more common in seniors - Alzheimers, Parkinson's, arthritis, and osteoporosis, for example; and they could tap into the existing network of community based organizations, and Community Care Access Centres (CCAC's) to offer what is often referred to as a "continuum of care."

In terms of budgeting, such a network would help alleviate the strain on emergency wards and regular hospital services - and at a lower cost - as well as reduce the pressure for long term care beds, which the Ministry of Health seems to be playing catch up on all the time.

Finding a delivery model that reduces costs, but provides a service tailor-made to the needs of our fastest growing age demographic is an idea worth talking about.