Friendly Calls+ Hospital to Home program to provide support to people following hospital stay

YORKTON, SK – Jan. 17, 2024 
The Canadian Red Cross, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the University of Regina, is pleased to announce Friendly Calls+ Hospital to Home – a pilot project that aims to provide regular check-in calls for eligible people following a hospital stay at Yorkton Regional Health Centre.

The Friendly Calls+ Hospital to Home program will be offered to patients over the age of 18, who could benefit from regular check-in calls following a stay in hospital. A referral from hospital staff is required. The program is for people who may benefit from increased access to regular emotional support, social interaction, enhanced coping skills and connections to community resources. Once registered with the program, the individual will receive two to three calls per week from Red Cross Friendly Calls personnel over the course of three months.

“We are excited to be working alongside the SHA and the University of Regina in an effort to help people transition home following a hospital stay at Yorkton Regional Health Centre,” said Luc Mullinder, vice-president for Saskatchewan at the Canadian Red Cross. “Through the use of the Friendly Calls program, we’re aiming to improve the health and well-being of people by helping them feel more connected to the community and provide the support they need to thrive at home.” 

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has worked with the Canadian Red Cross to establish Yorkton as the site for this project.

“Saskatchewan Health Authority staff do an exceptional job at delivering safe and quality care to the people of this province at our facilities, but it is more challenging to follow up on that care after a patient has been discharged,” said Jodie Yathon, director of Primary Health Care, Yorkton with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “This project reassures staff that patients requiring follow up will be looked after. For the patients, it means reassurance someone will always be checking in.”

The University of Regina will support the program by conducting a voluntary research study that will be offered to participants of the program. The study will evaluate the impact of the check-in calls on the participants.

"As part of this project, the University of Regina will conduct surveys and interviews with patients to understand the program's impact on their health and well-being,” said Jeff Keshen, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina. “Collaborations between university researchers and community organizations are incredibly valuable as they help us understand the impact of programs on the community.” 

QUICK FACTS
 
The Friendly Calls+ Hospital to Home program is safe, accessible and free. The program is available to people who:

• have recently been discharged from hospital, 
• are referred by hospital staff,
• are 18 years of age or older,
• may benefit from increased access to regular emotional support, social interaction, enhanced coping skills and community connections to other existing support.  

More information about the Friendly Calls+ Hospital to Home program is available by emailing  friendlycallsSK@redcross.ca or by phoning 1-306-721-1600 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.