Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres Commends the 2012 Provincial Budget

TORONTO, March 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC) commends the Government on the 2012 budget and the confidence demonstrated in home and community care to deliver high quality care and value to Ontarians in these financially challenging times. The Government's plan to shift health care spending to home care and community services will help seniors and others receive the care they need in their homes and enhance access to cost-effective services - reducing the burden on hospitals and long-term care homes.

"The benefit to the client - staying at home as long as possible - is obvious; the benefit to the health care system is a high quality and sustainable care alternative that frees up hospital and long-term care beds for people who need them the most, said Margaret Mottershead, OACCAC CEO. "The CCACs will continue working with the LHINs and other health care partners to increase home care and community services and ensure the best quality and value for the investment Ontario is making.  And, ultimately, to deliver on the implementation of Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care."

CCACs provide solutions to advance the province's vision of patient-centred, integrated and sustainable health care. For example, our provincial Home First approach brings CCACs and hospitals together to explore every opportunity to bring people home, before considering other options. This collaborative effort reduces the number of patients waiting in hospital for an alternate level of care, who could be more effectively cared for in the community.

CCACs are among the leanest health care organizations. Dedicating more than 91 cents of every dollar received to direct client care, CCACs provide comprehensive services and care across the continuum of care for Ontarians of all ages.

Community Care Access Centres provide services in the home and the community for more than 616,000 Ontarians annually.

About the OACCAC:
The Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC) is the voice of the CCAC sector, a key player within a sustainable integrated health care system. The OACCAC fosters strategic alliances within the health care system while continuously delivering high quality shared services to members and health care partners.

Gabriella Skubincan, Director, Communications & Marketing, OACCAC
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