Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital to cut 22 beds

CÔTE-DES-NEIGES – In the latest cost-cutting efforts, the Montreal Jewish General Hospital has announced it is eliminated 22 beds.

“It’s certainly a step forward in two ways,” said Dr. Louise Minor.

The cut represents about three per cent of the Jewish General’s 367 beds.

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The aim is to focus more on home care instead of keeping patients in the hospital.

“As a rule across most parts of the world, hospitals are closing beds and taking care of patients at home,” Minor explained.

“We’re trying to send them home sooner.”

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The cuts are in a section of the hospital dedicated to older patients with less complex medical issues.

The hospital said the money saved will be used in other places.

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“It’s not the intent to put all the savings into surgery,” said Minor, citing a previous report where the Jewish General Hospital cut its budget by $23 million in 2014-2015.

“We need to put some in home care to figure out how we will support these people outside the hospital.”

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Right now it’s unclear how much eliminating the beds will actually save.

They’re expected to be gone by April.