bed closures

..all of this predicated on the creation of space in the community. Capacity problems are rampant and persistent across the country. Until decision-makers ( and consumers) realize that an integrated system of care is the only way to address this problem we will be stuck in an outdated and inefficient hospital-first oligarchy.

"What they said is that they have determined that there are 350 people in acute-care beds between Edmonton and Calgary that should not be in acute-care beds and that as those people are moved, the beds will be closed," she said.

The province will create 800 community-care places to accommodate these patients, which will include options like home care and assisted living, Smith said.