Lakeridge Health’s Hospital2Home Program helps patients get home sooner while easing pressures across hospitals

(Durham Region) – FEBRUARY 19, 2026 – A re-imagined, collaborative approach to helping patients transition home from hospital is improving patient experience, supporting families, and easing pressures across Lakeridge Health hospitals, including shorter waits in emergency departments. 

Hospital2Home is a coordinated transition-to-home program designed for patients who no longer need acute hospital care and are ready to return home with the most appropriate supports in place. By bringing hospital teams, including the emergency department and in-patient units, and community partners together, the program wraps services and supports around patients and their families, helping them transition home more comfortably and with greater confidence. 

“My mom, Ann, was 89 and lived independently before she went into hospital,” said Ron Dekker, son, and family member. “All she wanted was to return home, but she couldn’t do it safely without help. The support provided through the Hospital2Home program made her wish possible. The compassion and quality of care meant everything to our family and gave us true peace of mind. We’re incredibly grateful.” 

“For most people, home is where they want to be, and Lakeridge Health is committed to helping people remain strong in their communities,” said Jaclyn McLeod, Director of Healthy Aging, Lakeridge Health. “The Hospital2Home program helps patients and their loved ones get back on track by providing the right care, in the right place, through an individualized care plan that reflects each person’s needs and goals. I’ve seen firsthand the positive, lasting difference this makes for patients and families who might otherwise experience caregiver burnout, a very real challenge for many people in Durham Region. This is what coordinated, compassionate care should look like.” 

Real Impact: Reduced Wait Times
The impact on the local health-care system has been significant. In less than a year, Lakeridge Health reduced the number of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients (individuals who no longer require hospital care but are unable to return home without some support) by more than 50 per cent. In summer 2024, ALC patients accounted for nearly 30 per cent of all in-patients across Lakeridge Health. One year later, that number dropped to less than 12 per cent.  

System-wide Ripple Effect 
These improvements have had a ripple effect across the system. Fewer ALC patients mean improved flow through hospital units, reduced wait times in emergency departments, faster ambulance offloads, and a safer, less stressful environment for patients, families, and clinicians. 

The success of Hospital2Home is rooted in collaboration. Lakeridge Health worked closely with local home care agencies and community partners to create bridging supports that help patients return home sooner. Teams realigned roles, including dedicated social work support focused on transitions to the community, and remained nimble as needs changed. 

“This work reflects a shared commitment to making sure people get good care while using our health system wisely,” said Dr. Joel Kennedy, Chief and Medical Director, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Lakeridge Health. “By working together across hospitals, home care, and community partners, while making the most of existing resources, we’re finding even better ways to support people as they return home from hospital. It’s about providing the right care in the right place, improving the health of the people of Durham Region and ensuring that their local health-care system works well now, and into the future.” 

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About Lakeridge Health 
Lakeridge Health is one of Ontario’s most comprehensive health systems, with five hospitals, four emergency departments, three critical care units, a long-term care home, a state-of-the-art, community-based surgical centre, and more than 30 community-based locations delivering acute, ambulatory, and long-term care. We are home to leading regional programs in cancer care, chronic kidney disease services, and critical care. In addition, we offer specialty services such as a Level 3 Trauma Centre, The Shoulder Centre, thoracic surgery, gynecology oncology, eye care, and a full continuum of mental health and addictions care. Through transformative research, dynamic academic partnerships, and over 160 active clinical studies, we are advancing medical knowledge and training the next generation of providers through the Queen’s–Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program and the LHEARN Network. Supported by nearly 9,000 staff, physicians, and volunteers, and working in collaboration with the Durham Ontario Health Team and community partners, we are committed to building an integrated system of care and empowering people across Durham Region to live their best health.  

For more information contact: 
Strategic Communications Media
communications@lh.ca