Health
JUMP AHEAD
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Health Care
LHINs are not-for-profit organizations responsible for planning, integrating and funding local health services. Our local LHIN provides guidance for local hospitals, the cancer centre, long-term care homes, the Community Care Access Centre, children's treatment centres, community health centres, community mental health services, community support services and substance abuse programs in our area.
Long-term care
The number of residents in long-term care homes in the region has been increasing, but only marginally. In January 2007 there were 3,660. In May of 2009, there were 3,748. During the same period the number of people on the wait list grew by 21.9% to 2,241. This is largely because the number of new waitlisted clients consistently exceeded the number of long-term care placements. Since June 2008 the number of vacant beds has not surpassed 25 in any given month. Overall long-term care beds in the LHIN are almost fully utilized. The average length of stay in a LTC home ranges between 2.6-2.7 years, which is slightly lower than the average stay across the province.
Source: South East Local Health Integration Network
Alternate Level of Care
A by-product of the lack of Long-term care beds in Greater Kingston is the number of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients in area hospitals. ALC patients remain in hospital beds because they cannot return home or access a long-term care bed. High numbers of ALC patients occupying hospital beds can result in surgical cancellations and a high number of admitted patients in the Emergency Department waiting for a bed in the hospital. ALC rates are measured in ALC days as a percentage of all acute inpatient days. The LHIN’s percentage of ALC days declined slightly between 2006 (18.6%) and 2007 (17.3%) but remains higher than the provincial
average (14.0%).
Source: South East Local Health Integration Network
Mental Health
One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. The remaining four will have a friend, family member or colleague who will. Mental illnesses impact a number of other illnesses and issues, including poverty and homelessness. According to the 2011 Health Profile by Statistics Canada, the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Health Unit region has higher levels of hospitalization and patient days for mental health issues than the Ontario average. Part of this may be due to the fact that our region is home to several specialized mental health treatment centres. Addictions in our area – both gambling and substance abuse – may be on the rise. There were more than 2,000 people in our LHIN admitted to a substance abuse program in 2008.
Wait Times
The Government of Ontario keeps track of a variety of wait time indicators at hospitals across the province. Comparing hospitals is a challenge, since different regions have different kinds of hospitals. For example, Kingston is home to the region’s largest acute care hospital – Kingston General Hospital. For more current information on wait times go to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website: www.health.gov.on.ca
Doctors
While great strides have been made in bringing new physicians to the region, there are still people in Greater Kingston who have no regular doctor. Part of the reason may be the fact that the statistics below are gathered by health unit region, which includes areas outside of Kingston that have not benefited from the City’s physician recruitment program.
How we see health care
By and large, most people in Greater Kingston think our local health care system is good. However, the positive feeling isn’t universal. Nearly 25% have only a fair or poor opinion of local health care. The rates are similar to the Ontario average.
Community health
The South East Local Health Integration Network reviewed the local health system in a September 2010 report called Regional Analysis of SE LHIN Hospital Services. The report found that generally, residents of the LHIN have higher incidences of disease than the provincial average.
- Arthritis rates are not only greater than that of the province but are also on the rise.
- There is some evidence of a higher and increasing prevalence of cardiovascular and high blood pressure problems.
- Diabetes rates have been steadily rising, both in terms of prevalence and use of health care resources.
- Respiratory conditions though low, may be increasing in the LHIN.
Source: South East Local Health Integration Network
Injuries Among Children
Despite considerable progress since the 1990s, unintentional injuries remain the leading cause of death and hospitalization among Canadian children. Evidence suggests almost all injuries are preventable and predictable. According to information compiled by KFL&A Public Health, on average, more than three injured children per day presented at emergency departments at KGH and Hotel Dieu Hospital between 2001-2005. The highest rate of injuries occurred in one and two-year old children. More boys than girls were injured in all age groups over one year. Falls were the most common cause of injury. Among infants, the most common injury was a minor head injury. For children aged between one and six years, open wounds were the most common consequence of injury, followed by fractures and soft tissue injuries. The most common location for an injury was the child’s own home or another person’s home.
Source: Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health
Alcohol use
Alcohol abuse is a major public health issue. It has been linked to more than 60 medical conditions including injuries from falls, impaired driving, sexual assault and chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, and some cancers. According to KFL&A Public Health, about a third of males and a fifth of females in Greater Kingston consume alcohol at levels exceeding provincial low risk drinking guidelines (no more than 2 drinks per day and no more than 9 drinks per week for women and 14 for men). About half of area residents binge drank at least once in the last 12 months (defined as having 5 or more drinks on one occasion). Significantly more males than females binge drink. As well, binge drinking is more common in younger adults. About eleven percent of area drinkers binge drink once a week or more.
Source: Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health
Physical activity levels are growing
The number of people aged 12 and over who say they are physically active or moderately physically active is growing. From just over half in 2003, the activity rate is now more than 60 per cent. The 2010 Kingston level is 24.8 per cent above the provincial level and 20.7 per cent above the national level.
Health & Work
We’re taking more sick days
Kingston has more illness-related work absences than the provincial or national average.
We’re walking and cycling to work
Kingston is the most walkable/cyclable city in Ontario for commuters according to the 2006 Statistics Canada report Commuting Patterns and Places of Work. In 2006, 9.6 per cent of Kingston workers were most likely to walk to their place of work and 2.4 per cent of workers were most likely to cycle.
Source: Statistics Canada, Commuting Patterns and Places of Work of Canadians, 2006 Census
