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In recent days, The Ottawa Hospital has had between 180 and 200 ALC patients in beds.

“That is very high it has never been much higher than that,” said Dr. Alan Forster, vice-president of innovation and quality at The Ottawa Hospital. “That is putting pressure on our system.”

The Ottawa program is one such program being created around the province in an effort to reduce hallway medicine, which has been an ongoing and growing issue across the province.

“Certain areas in Ontario are experiencing higher-than-average rates of patients receiving care in unconventional spaces,” said Elliott. “By investing in targeted partnerships between hospitals and home and community care providers in these regions, we can tackle the challenge of hallway health care head on to ensure patients are receiving the high quality care they expect and deserve.”

Elliott also announced more than $3 million 48 new temporary hospital beds at The Ottawa Hospital, Queensway Carleton and CHEO for 122 days, aimed at the coming flu and virus season. Hospitals around the province already have funding for surge beds, but many have needed that space even during the usually slower summer months. The 48 temporary beds are in addition to core and surge beds, said Kann.

Queensway Carleton Hospital was forced to cancel day surgeries earlier in the summer when medicine occupancy levels hit 135 per cent.

The province also announced an additional $424,000 for nursing resources to support 24-hour offloading from ambulances. Long ambulance transfer times, during which paramedics must stay with patients, has been a growing issue of concern in Ottawa and across the province.