Improving Access to Care for Patients in Mississauga and West Toronto

Partnership between Runnymede and Trillium Health Partners aimed at reducing wait times  

TORONTO and MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - Runnymede Healthcare Centre (Runnymede) and Trillium Health Partners (THP) are working together to reduce wait times and create more capacity to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Today, the partners announced the launch of a High Tolerance Short Duration Rehabilitation (HTSD Rehab) program at Runnymede that will increase access to much-needed rehabilitation care in the west Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and increase acute care capacity at THP to help address the growing demand for service.

Runnymede's new HTSD Rehab program is designed for patients who need to regain function lost due to illness, injury or surgery and would benefit from intensive short-term rehabilitation. Demand for this type of rehabilitation is high, and patients who need it often experience above-average wait times across the system. By offering HTSD Rehab, Runnymede will continue to put patients first by improving access to this type of care closer to home. In turn, this new program will address demand pressures and improve the flow of patients through the healthcare system thereby reducing costs and wait times.

THP looks to work with health system partners such as Runnymede to ensure that patients in Mississauga and the west GTA receive the right care in the right place at the right time. Today's HTSD Rehab announcement marks an enhancement to the ongoing and successful partnership between Runnymede and THP. The two hospitals first collaborated in 2014 by facilitating THP patients' access to less-intensive rehabilitation in Runnymede's Low Tolerance Long Duration Rehabilitation (LTLD Rehab) program.

"For all of our patients, Runnymede is an essential partner on the road to recovery. Our goal is to restore physical health and well-being to the greatest possible degree and get patients back to their everyday lives or the next destination in their healthcare journey," said Connie Dejak, Runnymede Healthcare Centre, President and Chief Executive Officer. "By offering HTSD Rehab in partnership with Trillium Health Partners we are building on Runnymede's innovation in care delivery to ensure patients get the care they need closer to home."

"Over the next 20 years, no other hospital will experience higher growth in demand for services than THP and to address this challenge we must employ innovative solutions," said Michelle DiEmanuele, President and CEO, Trillium Health Partners. "This enhanced partnership with Runnymede will result in more hospital beds to serve more patients in Mississauga and west Toronto, more front line staff to care for those patients and greater value for public funds with a more efficient use of hospital beds."

About Runnymede Healthcare Centre:
Runnymede Healthcare Centre is a dynamic and growing 206 bed rehabilitation and complex continuing care hospital passionately dedicated to serving our community in the west end of Toronto.  Our outstanding patient-centred care provides patients with a crucial pathway to recovery.  To learn more, visit: www.runnymedehc.ca

About Trillium Health Partners:
Trillium Health Partners is one of the largest community-based acute care facilities in Canada. Comprised of Credit Valley Hospital, the Mississauga Hospital and the Queensway Health Centre, Trillium Health Partners serves the growing and diverse populations of Mississauga, west Toronto and surrounding communities. Trillium Health Partners is a research and teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto Mississauga and the Mississauga Academy of Medicine. To learn more, visit: www.trilliumhealthpartners.ca

SOURCE Runnymede Healthcare Centre