New Windsor hospital program aims to keep patients at home, out of ER

A new program called Hospital To Home is being called a success for Windsor Regional Hospital patients. Chris Campbell explains.

Windsor Regional Hospital says a new program designed to support patients after discharge is already showing promising results.

The Hospital to Home program, known as H2H, launched last fall in partnership with SE Health and provides up to 16 weeks of in-home support for patients who no longer need acute care in hospital.

Hospital officials say the goal is to help people recover safely at home while reducing avoidable emergency department visits and readmissions.

“We are very excited to be able to offer this new program for our patients, which improves patient outcomes and independence at home,” said Windsor Regional Hospital president and CEO Karen Riddell.

“Our aging population requires unique and improved approaches to ensuring patients have the supports they need when leaving our facilities. This program provides excellent patient-centered support while at the same time reducing hospital pressures and ensuring beds are available for acute care needs.”

The program is part of a provincewide initiative funded through Ontario’s $1.1-billion investment in home care.

Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie said nearly $2 million has been allocated to support the program in Windsor-Essex.

“This investment ensures patients can receive high-quality care in the comfort of their own homes,” Dowie said in a statement. “The Hospital to Home program strengthens recovery support, improves outcomes, and reflects our government’s commitment to expanding home and community care across Ontario.”

Under the program, eligible patients are connected with community-based services such as nursing care, personal support workers, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, social work and dietitian services.

The H2H initiative is aimed at patients at risk of becoming Alternate Level of Care (ALC), those with frequent emergency department visits, and individuals who need rehabilitative or restorative support after leaving hospital.

To qualify, patients must live in Windsor or Essex County and require at least two identified services at home.

Patients are referred through their inpatient unit or the emergency department. Hospital team members then develop a care plan and follow up with patients at home, working with primary care providers to ensure appointments are arranged within two weeks of discharge.

Hospital officials say the first patient was enrolled on Oct. 30, 2025. Since then, 115 people have been registered in the program, with more than 230 expected to be onboarded by the end of March.

SE Health president and CEO John Yip said expanding home care is a proven way to ease pressure on hospitals.

“By expanding services and strengthening programs like Hospital to Home, we reduce hospital pressures, shorten lengths of stay, and improve patient flow,” Yip said.

Officials say the hospital plans to continue growing the program as demand increases.