Wow, one year since Dunn House opened its doors in Toronto. Since then, we have been so thankful for the stories of hope, and the vision for the future of care that is taking shape. Congratulations to Andrew Boozary MD MPP and the team at University Health Network, as well as the partners who have all played a role in Dunn House. This is, as Dr. Boozary says, “The power of partnership.” Earlier this year we hosted Dr. Boozary on HIROC’s Healthcare Change Makers podcast. We spoke about reentering humanity in healthcare. If you haven’t listened yet, grab the episode here: https://lnkd.in/gY8VYvAZ #podcast #HIROC #CdnHealth
It’s been one year since we opened Dunn House — Canada’s first social medicine housing initiative. And this has been family over the past year. It still feels unreal sometimes. What started as a “radical” idea — that health begins with home — became a place where people who were living inside and out of hospitals, shelters, or on the street could finally exhale. A year later, the preliminary data is staggering. Emergency Department visits for the tenants have plunged by over 50%. And days spent in hospital have similarly plummeted by nearly 80%. But the real drive for change, I hope, is how human dignity and health economics are completely aligned. The first story is from Victoria Gibson at the Toronto Star — about Jason Miles, a man whose addiction and homelessness cost more than $260,000 through ER visits, shelters, and jail stays. Not because he wanted that path, but because there wasn’t another one. The second is from Liam Casey in the CBC, about our University Health Network teams and community partners deciding to try something different and center those patients that been sidelined in the health system. The cost calculus is clear when it can be over $50k per month in hospital, $15k in provincial jail and $4k for supportive housing. I believe both these stories show the cost of crisis — and the return on compassion. It’s still early, and there’s a lot more to do across the province. But one year in, I’m certain of this more than ever: housing is healthcare. compassion saves lives. and dignity has to be designed into the system — not left to chance. The power of partnership: University Health Network — City of Toronto — United Way Greater Toronto — Fred Victor — Ontario Health | Santé Ontario — UHN Foundation — Inner City Health Associates — Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
