The Network continues to support members as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on patients and the system now and in the longer term.

The Network’s efforts are focused in the following areas:

  • Sharing COVID-related admission/referral requirements
    Rehab/CCC hospitals have put in place a variety of admission and referral requirements for patients with COVID-19. To support the smooth flow of patients between hospitals, the Network maintains an up-to-date listing of these requirements and circulates the information across acute and rehab/CCC hospitals. The Network also shares the listing with RM&R.
  • Supporting mid- and long-term planning
    COVID-19 is having a significant impact on the mid- and long-term planning and delivery of rehabilitative services. A variety of factors are at play, including the shut down and resumption of services; rising ALC rates due to the situation in long-term care; the rehabilitative care required by those recovering from COVID-19; and the growing rehabilitative care needs of populations such as frail seniors, who have been adversely affected during the pandemic.The Network is leading a coordinated effort across the GTA to support system planning in this context. Current activities include:

    • Convening rehab/CCC leaders to understand the local impact of COVID-19 and needs related to rehabilitative care service planning.
    • Implementing a data reporting tracking tool for COVID-19 rehab/CCC admissions across the region and analyzing the data to identify trends and inform planning.
    • Gathering information on the current status of outpatient rehab services (both virtual and in-person) and plans for resuming services.

    Discussions continue regarding other planning needs and system level support the Network can provide.

  • Assessing priority actions
    Given the changed environment, the Network is also meeting with a number of key contacts across member organizations to provide an overview of current Network initiatives and gather input on where the Network should concentrate attention in the year ahead.

For more information on any of these initiatives, please contact Charissa Levy, Executive Director.