MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 17, 2016 /CNW/ - The first step to develop a National Action Plan for Better Home Care in Canada began in Halifax on May 5th through a pan-Canadian consultation. The aim is to enhance the delivery of home care services to meet the changing health care needs of Canadians, and adapt advances in health technology. The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA), the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) are leading the consultations.
On May 5, the Honourable Leo Glavine, Minister of Health and Wellness and Minister of Seniors for Nova Scotia, welcomed over 45 provincial government representatives, health care administrators, family doctors, nurses and community home care providers from across Canada. Minister Glavine reinforced the need for improvement and coordination of home care services for those who prefer to stay in their homes for as long as possible.
"Home care is a priority to help Canadians live in their homes for as long as possible with the dignity and independence they desire, while ensuring that our hospitals and long-term care facilities are accessible for those who need them most," said Francine Lemire, Executive Director and CEO of the CFPC. "A coordinated, well-resourced, pan-Canadian plan to enrich home care is required to accommodate the changing care requirements of Canada's aging population."
"The Action Plan will include practical solutions and proposed actions to make home care more available and accessible, and achieve better health outcomes and quality of care," added Anne Sutherland Boal, CEO of the CNA. "The timing is perfect to provide recommendations to support enhanced home care services for inclusion in the federal government's new multi-year Health Accord to be negotiated with the provinces and territories."
"By sharing best practices and building on frontline experience, the Halifax consultation participants identified a number of well-defined actions, clear direction and achievable goals to support more and better home care," observed Nadine Henningsen, CHCA Executive Director. "This rich dialogue will form the basis of our next consultation planned for Ottawa on June 8."
In the coming months, the CHCA, CNA and CFPC will consult home care providers, administrators and clinicians, in addition to patients across the country, on how the federal government uses its commitment of $3 billion for home care to support one's home as a preferred place to recover from an illness or injury, manage long-term conditions, and live out final days.
The Better Home Care Action Plan will be shared with governments, policy makers and stakeholders across the country.
About the Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA)
The CHCA is a national not-for-profit membership association representing home care stakeholders from governments (federal, provincial and territorial), health authorities, publicly-funded home care programs, service providers, medical and technology companies, researchers and others with an interest in home care. The CHCA advances excellence in home care and continuing care through leadership, awareness, advocacy and knowledge.
About the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
Representing nearly 139,000 registered nurses in Canada, the CNA is a powerful unified voice for Canada's registered nurses. The CNA represents registered nurses from 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges, independent registered nurse members from Ontario and Quebec and retired registered nurses from across the country. The organization advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada's publicly-funded, not-for-profit health system.
About the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
The CFPC represents more than 35,000 members across the country. The organization is responsible for establishing standards for the training and certification of family physicians. The CFPC reviews and accredits continuing professional development programs and materials that enable family physicians to meet certification and licensing requirements and lifelong learning interests. It also accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada's 17 medical schools. The CFPC provides quality services, supports family medicine teaching and research and advocates on behalf of family physicians and the specialty of family medicine.
SOURCE Canadian Home Care Association
Lisa Benedet, Government Advocacy Lead, Canadian Home Care Association, 905-567-7373, [email protected]; Kevin Ménard, Communications Advisor, Public Affairs and Member Engagement, Canadian Nurses Association, 613-237-2159 ext 543, [email protected]; Jayne Johnston, Director of Communications, College of Family Physicians of Canada, 905-629-0900 ext 303, [email protected]
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