The Ontario government says hospital patients awaiting spots in long-term care can be moved to nursing homes not of their choosing up to 150 kilometres away, with charges of $400 per day to take effect in November if they refuse.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra say patients in southern Ontario can be moved up to 70 kilometres away, while those in northern Ontario may be moved up to 150 kilometres away, starting Sept. 21.
The ministers say the policy will only affect patients who are awaiting discharge from a hospital.
They say couples will not be separated and that religious, ethnic and language preferences will be respected.
The regulations announced today are part of an effort to free up hospital beds as the health-care system grapples with temporary emergency room closures and a surgical backlog.
The rules stem from legislation that sparked outrage from seniors and advocates and was pushed through without public hearings.