Toronto (June 14, 2011) - The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (Toronto Rehab) and University Health Network (UHN) Boards of Directors today gave final approval to the integration of Toronto Rehab and UHN today which is the final step in a process that began in April, 2011.
“I would like to compliment the volunteer directors of both Boards and the senior management teams of these two organizations for their commitment to creating a health care system which supports the very best quality of care for patients,” said Minister Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care for the Province of Ontario. “Transitions between levels of care can be challenging for patients and families, so I look forward to watching University Health Network as it integrates the very best acute care with excellent rehabilitation, complex continuing care and long-term care.”
The motion to integrate the hospitals, which passed at both Board meetings today, concludes a process that will see University Health Network assume responsibility on July 1, 2011 for all of the clinical programs, research, education, employees, and physical assets of Toronto Rehab. The integration is supported by the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network, the University of Toronto, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
“Quite simply becoming part of the University Health Network makes good sense,” said Toronto Rehab President & CEO Mark Rochon. “Bringing these two organizations together will enable clinicians to initiate rehabilitation much sooner in the acute care phase of treatment which will enhance both the quality and continuity of care as well as outcomes for patients.”
“Everyone who has been part of this process has seen the enormous opportunity for patients, research and health care professionals in this new organization,” said Dr. Bob Bell, President and CEO of University Health Network. “This would not have been possible without the vision and support of Mr. David Bragg, the Chair of the Board of Toronto Rehab, Mr. John Mulvihill, the Chair of UHN’s Board and my colleague, Mr. Mark Rochon, the President and CEO of Toronto Rehab. I am committed to their vision for the new UHN which now combines outstanding acute services with excellent post-acute care in an environment that supports interprofessional care, education and research.
On July 1, 2011 UHN will have approximately 14,000 employees, providing a wide range of health care services on the sites of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital and the five sites that make up Toronto Rehab.
About Toronto Rehab
Toronto Rehab is at the forefront of one of the most important and emerging frontiers in health care today―rehabilitation science. As a fully affiliated teaching and research hospital of the University of Toronto, Toronto Rehab is a leading academic provider of adult rehabilitation services, complex continuing care and long-term care. Toronto Rehab is revolutionizing rehabilitation knowledge and practice through research and education to maximize life.
About University Health Network
University Health Network (UHN) is made up of Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret hospitals. The scope of research and complexity of cases at UHN has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It is the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, and genomic medicine and is committed to patient as partner in care and the development of interprofessional practice. UHN is a research and teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.
