Ontario Home Care Association welcomes budget commitment to home and community care

TORONTO, May 2, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA) applauds the Government's commitment to more home and community care as outlined in today's budget, A Prosperous & Fair Ontario.  Home care is a fundamental component of the health care system.  The investment of an additional one percent per year, amounting to $700 million by 2015-16, in home and community care will support access to timely home care for patients, particularly those with complex needs.

"Health system stakeholders have been working together to shift care to the community in order to respond to the needs and wishes of our aging population," said Sue VanderBent, OHCA Executive Director.  The commitment to home and community care in the budget aligns to the Excellent Care for All Act and the strategies outlined in Ontario's Action Plan for Healthcare and Seniors Strategy for Ontario.

Evidence has demonstrated the potential of home care to support people in their home and generate value for money.  OHCA will continue to work collaboratively with the Government and all health system partners to develop high quality responsive home care in the community.

About the OHCA
The OHCA, the voice of home care in Ontario, is a membership association representing providers of quality home care services from across Ontario.  OHCA members represent an estimated 25,000 staff collectively serving 300,000 Ontarians per year.  OHCA works with families as integral partners in the delivery of home care services and as such estimates that members impact 1.2 million Ontarians.   OHCA is dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the home and community health care sector by helping to shape health care policy, supporting members to excel, and being a leading source of information on home and community care.  OHCA members are accredited through Accreditation Canada, CARF, and/or registered with the International Standards Association (ISO).

For the latest in news and information about the home care sector in Ontario, subscribe to the Ontario Home Care Association's "House Call" at www.homecareontario.ca.

SOURCE: Ontario Home Care Association

Sue VanderBent
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Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @HomeCareOntario
Web : www.homecareontario.ca