Legislation is now in place for hospital patients to be forced into a long-term care facility not of their choosing to free up beds in hospitals.
The Ontario government passed legislation stipulating that such patients can be moved up to 150 kilometres away in Northern Ontario or 70 kilometres away in southern Ontario.
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha says that does not sit well with him and he is starting to receive a lot of inquiries from the public.
Mantha says charging a daily fee of $400 daily fee to patients who refuse to move out of hospital is erroneous only adding to the emotional and physical toll, especially when losing contact with family.
Mantha says the answer is simple, to alleviate the pressure, open more long-term homes.
According to the provincial government, there are some1, 800 hospital patients waiting for a place with one of their preferred choices adding First Nation homes are exempt and couples will be allowed to remain together.
