Leaving the Hospital
This section of our website will provide you with useful information regarding your transition once you’re ready to leave the hospital.
When you are ready to leave the hospital, your care team will work with you and your family on a discharge plan to ensure you’re prepared to go home or transition to the next step in your recovery journey in the community. If you have any questions about your discharge, your care team is here to help.
Sign up for MyChart to stay on top of your health information, including test results, visit summaries and medications, past and future appointments, questionnaires, health tracking and more. Please note: Secure messaging for patients discharged from the Emergency Department is temporarily unavailable due to technical difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Discharge time:
Once your care team has determined that you’re ready to be discharged from the hospital, you will want to let your family know so they can pick you up or arrange for transportation.
Discharges typically happen by 11 a.m. each day.
Being picked up from the hospital:
Your family can pick you up directly on the unit or at one of the designated pick-up locations near the main entrance at both hospitals.
If you need help arranging for transportation, please speak with your care team. Please note that while your care team may help to arrange for transport, Mackenzie Health does not pay the cost of transportation to leave the hospital.
Next steps:
As part of your discharge planning, your care team will work with you and your family to identify and enroll in any community supports you may need to continue your recovery at home. Please note that not all community services are fully funded and there may be costs incurred.
What are the benefits of recovering at home?
Recovering at home helps reduce stress and promotes faster healing in a familiar environment. You can resume your daily routine and focus on recovery, minimizing the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Who will arrange and pay for my transportation?
Patients are responsible for arranging their own transportation home unless it is medically necessary, in which case Mackenzie Health will assist. Payment for transportation is not covered by OHIP.
What if I do not have a family doctor?
If you do not have a family doctor, please let us know. Mackenzie Health can refer you to the Family Health Navigation Clinic.
What is post-hospital care planning?
Post-hospital care planning involves preparing for your discharge. Your health care team will collaborate with you to ensure you understand the next steps in your recovery.
When will I leave the hospital?
Your doctor will decide when you are stable for discharge. Discharges typically occur by 11 a.m. each day.
Who will help me plan to go home?
Mackenzie Health follows the Home First philosophy and will work with you and your family to ensure you are ready to leave and have the necessary care and support at home.
What is the role of my designated family member or substitute decision-maker?
If you need support with decision-making, your designated family member or substitute decision-maker will work with your health care team to ensure your care plan is in place before discharge.
Non-urgent transportation at Mackenzie Health
What is Non-Urgent Transportation?
Non-urgent transportation refers to medical transport for appointments or procedures at another facility, or for reasons unrelated to the care provided by Mackenzie Health.
When can a patient use an ambulance?
· Ambulance use: An ambulance is used for emergency, life-threatening, or urgent situations, or when paramedic care is medically necessary as determined by the health care team at Mackenzie Health.
· OHIP coverage: Individuals with a valid Ontario Health Insurance Provider (OHIP) card are required to cover the cost of land or air ambulance transfers at standard rates.
· Uninsured rate: Individuals without a valid Ontario Health number will be billed at the uninsured rate.
Available Transportation Options:
· RNR
When Does Mackenzie Health pay for transportation?
Mackenzie Health will pay for transportation when an appointment is medically necessary, such as for a specialist consultation at another hospital.
Individual, family, or substitute decision-maker responsibilities
Patients, families, or substitute decision-makers are responsible for arranging and paying for non-medically necessary transportation, such as for appointments unrelated to Mackenzie Health, discharge to homes or care facilities, and when special equipment (stretcher/wheelchair) is needed.
In-patient unit and Emergency Department discharge
· In-patient unit discharge: Transfers are scheduled with the health care team, typically by 11 a.m. each day.
· Emergency Department discharge: Discharges can occur at any time, and transportation arrangements should be made beforehand.
Communication with family or Power of Attorney (POA)
Efforts will be made to contact the family or POA before discharge. If unsuccessful, the safest mode of transportation will be arranged by the health care team.
External resources
· Canadian Cancer Society: Provides transportation assistance and other resources.
· Family or friends: A reliable option for transportation help.
· Home at Last (for seniors 65+ or patients with mental health needs): Application required for discharged patients only.
· Legion or church volunteers: Volunteers often offer transportation assistance.
· Seniors’ Groups: Local groups that may provide help.
· Service Clubs: Offer transportation support.
MackenzieHelps is a 16-week program that helps transition you or your family member from the hospital to home. A member of your care team visits you within 24 hours of discharge and checks in daily during the first week. Support is provided for up to 16 weeks, including necessary referrals and community resources.
For more information about this program: MackenzieHelps Information Sheet
For questions or concerns, call 1-833-991-1960 or email mackenziehelps@sehc.com .
MackenzieHelps Plus extends this support for 26 weeks, providing longer-term care. The program includes additional partners like LOFT for comprehensive care. This is ideal if extended support is needed during the recovery process.
For more information about this program: MackenzieHelpsPlus Information Sheet
For questions or concerns, call 1-833-991-1960 or email mackenziehelps@sehc.com.
Contact: 1-800-263- 2288, ext. 322
Location: 10 Trench St, B Wing, Level 3, Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 4Z3
The provincial government passed legislation (More Beds, Better Care Act, 2022) authorizing hospital care teams and home and community care services to make decisions around patients who no longer need to be cared for in a hospital but who still require an Alternate Level of Care (ALC).
For more information on More Beds, Better Care Act, 2022, see https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/s22016