On February 24, 2026, health leaders announced that a program helping patients return home more quickly has significantly reduced bed shortages at the Ajax Pickering Hospital in Ajax, Ontario. The Hospital2Home initiative has helped lower the number of hospital beds occupied by people waiting for home support from nearly 30 per cent in 2024 to less than 12 per cent this year.
This milestone coincides with the one-year anniversary of a separate pilot program run by Durham Health Partners. While that specific pilot program focused on patients in Oshawa over the last year, its success is expected to lead to new dedicated service teams and support systems for residents in Ajax and Pickering.
In its first year, the Oshawa pilot program served 465 patients and achieved a satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5 from those using the service. Jon Hantho, the head of CBI Health, noted that the program ensured every patient with complex needs was seen by a health worker within 24 hours of leaving the hospital.
By better coordinating care between hospitals and home-care providers, the system aims to prevent avoidable hospital stays and shorten wait times in emergency departments. Over half of the patients in the pilot were able to move from professional care to managing their own health at home successfully.
