The updated repatriation policy applies to rehabilitation patients who require re-admission to acute care. The policy, which was developed with acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, is designed to enhance flow and reduce inefficiencies.

The policy focuses on releasing beds (for most patients) when they are re-admitted to acute care for assessment or treatment, but includes special bed-holding considerations for some patient populations.

The Network has also worked with hospitals on additional resources to support consistent application of the policy (see below).

The repatriation policy maximizes occupancy of rehab/CCC beds across the system and reduces the risk of patients being sent back without advance notice and without confirmation that required medications and resources are in place.

In December 2022, a supplement was developed with the GTA IMS planning and command tables as a temporary amendment to the Network’s repatriation policy in response to surge capacity pressures. Its goal was to optimize bed capacity in the post-acute system by ensuring beds are not held vacant for longer than necessary.