Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is proud to announce the pilot of the Rural Stop Gap (RSG) Program, an innovative initiative designed to help patients manage their health at home and reduce return visits to the Emergency Department. Through a partnership with Gotcare, this program provides timely, technology-enabled care to patients who may otherwise struggle with managing their conditions after discharge.
The RSG Program aims to expedite discharges, connect patients with home-based support, and reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. Given limited resources and long wait times for care in many rural communities, this program addresses this challenge by offering a hybrid approach to care – combining home visits from Health Ambassadors with virtual visits from clinicians, ensuring patients receive the assistance they need to manage their health effectively.
“The Rural Stop Gap Program is an innovative digital approach to augment our patient care model,” said Heather Campbell, Vice President of Patient Care & Chief Nursing Executive at CMH. “By providing structured support at home, we can improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital congestion, and enhance overall healthcare access for our community.”
Initially implemented regionally in the Quinte area for patients in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, the program’s funding has been expanded to include all patients who receive care at CMH, regardless of where they live. Services include remote monitoring, falls management, wellness check-ins, and personalized care plans that empower patients to take an active role in managing their health. The program also utilizes AI-enabled technology and predictive analytics to identify potential health concerns before they escalate.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap between hospital and home care,” said Chenny Xia, Co-Founder & CEO of Gotcare. “By leveraging technology and a dedicated workforce, we can ensure that patients feel supported, stay healthier, and ultimately reduce unnecessary hospital visits.”
This initiative aligns with CMH’s soon to be launched strategic plan and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of rural care by enhancing innovative partnerships and developing proactive health management strategies often not available in rural areas.
For more information about the Rural Stop Gap Program, please visit: Gotcare – Reimagining Health Services in the Home
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
