VON Welcomes Ontario Government's Renewed Focus on Home and Community Care
VON WELCOMES ONTARIO GOVERNMENT’S RENEWED FOCUS ON HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE
February 27, 2020 (Ottawa): VON Canada applauds the announcement this week from the Government of Ontario on their strategy to modernize the home and community care sector. The announcement demonstrates a commitment to working with experts in the sector to remove barriers for the improved delivery of patient-focused care.
“On behalf of VON Canada, Ontario’s longest-serving home and community care provider, I’d like to thank the Government of Ontario for recognizing the need to modernize the rules governing this vital component of healthcare delivery,” said Jo-Anne Poirier, President and CEO, VON Canada. “They have listened to feedback, including the imperative to ensure that gaps in home and community care are addressed. We look forward to participating in the consultation process, with a focus on strengthening capacity in the home and community care system to better enable the delivery of patient-focused healthcare in Ontario. This is an important next step toward achieving the vision of government’s Ontario Health Team transformation initiative.”
The Government’s introduction of legislation this week entitled “Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act” will, if passed, offer opportunities to enhance home and community care for patients throughout Ontario. Specifically, the proposed legislation includes adding Residential Congregate Care Settings for transitional, rehabilitative or longer-term care settings, opportunities to fund virtual care within the basket of services, the elimination of current service maximums, and the expansion of self-directed care.
“As home and community care continues to evolve as an even greater part of the solution we encourage the government to ensure they consider the critical need for a strong front line,” added Poirier. “To achieve real and lasting system improvements, we need to ensure adequate support and investment for front line workers. It is also critical to move ahead now on changes to the sector, to ensure Ontarians derive the full benefit of transformation.”
Keeping Ontarians Healthy and Home
As part of its 2020 pre-budget submission, VON highlighted the need to refocus and rebalance health spending to expand and strengthen home and community care. Specifically, VON has advocated for:
- Better and faster access to home care through streamlined care coordination and assessments and through direct referrals from healthcare professionals
- Investments in home-care focused technology, enabling real-time communication and decision making
- Innovative, self-directed care models that integrate the full spectrum of home and community care
- Wage parity and other supports for home and community care employees
About VON Canada
VON Canada has been pioneering care at home for over 120 years. Today, we are a highly trusted non-profit organization that works with our clients, employees, volunteers and partners to provide innovative clinical, personal and social support to people who want the comfort and peace of mind of living in their own homes and communities.
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