VANCOUVER, Oct. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Three national health care organizations today released a comprehensive set of actions to enhance home care in Canada. The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA), the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) launched Better Home Care: A National Action Plan (www.thehomecareplan.ca).
Better Home Care: A National Action Plan reflects the needs of patients and their cares and reinforces the philosophy that home, not a hospital or long-term care facility, is the best place to recover from an illness or injury, manage long-term conditions, and live out ones' final days.
"Home care is a priority to help millions of Canadians live in their homes for as long as possible with dignity and independence with access to health care, while ensuring that our hospitals and long-term care facilities are accessible for those who need them most," says Nadine Henningsen, CHCA Executive Director. "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 health system is at a point of change and we have an opportunity to bring about successful transformation. We were pleased to consult patients, government representatives, health care administrators, health and home care providers from across Canada. This action plan promotes innovation and reflects the patient's journey within three key themes: patient-centred accountable care, integrated community-based care and sustainable care." adds Barb Shellian, President of the CNA.
Recognizing the federal government's $3 billion commitment to home care, the Better Home Care: A National Action Plan proposes the following immediate actions:
- Accelerate the identification and adoption of integrated, community-based practices that address the needs of individuals with chronic complex needs, including end-of-life care.
- Deliver a proclamation by the Prime Minister, recognizing the diversity, role, and value of carers on National Carer Day (Tuesday April 4, 2017).
- Launch a public awareness campaign to encourage Canadians to talk about and document their wishes for end-of-life care with their health care providers and significant others.
"We welcome the opportunity to share the National Action Plan actions and indicators of success for federal government's consideration in Canada's new Health Accord and their significant commitment to enhancing home care across the country," says Dr. Francine Lemire, Executive Director and CEO of the CFPC. "The new report provides specific actions for governments, health care providers, patients, and carers to achieve more and better home care. We look forward to continuing the collaboration to support the implementation."
For more information see: http://www.thehomecareplan.ca
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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