HAMILTON – The Minister of Health and Long Term Care announced on Thursday, March 12, 2015 the release of the final report of the Expert Group on Home and Community Care: Bringing Care Home. The entire Home Care and Community Services sector has been eagerly anticipating the release of this report and its recommendations.
The report marks a significant milestone in shaping the direction of home care in Ontario. It will play a key role as the government works to improve patient and family-centred care at home and in the community, as well as to support a system of care that is accountable and sustainable.
Through consultations with patients, caregivers and health care providers, the expert group developed 16 recommendations to:
- Ensure service delivery is more consistent across Ontario to promote equal access to services and quality home and community care in all communities.
- Ensure provincial funding for services and investments in home and community care is consistent across the province to improve transparency and maximize funds available for patient care.
- Foster innovation and new approaches to care in order to improve patient experience, quality, choice and value for money.
Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO of the St. Joseph’s Health System, was a member of the Expert Group who crafted the report. Other members of the expert panel included Dr. Gail Donner (chair), healthcare practitioners Cathy Fooks, Joe McReynolds, and Dr. Samir Sinha, and patient advocate Donna Thomson.
This report will help inform the next steps in Ontario’s home care strategy which will be announced in the coming months.
We would like to call particular attention to a mention of the patient-centred approach of the St. Joseph’s Health System ICC model that was made in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care news release announcing the report. It cites the recent request for interested health care organizations to develop new payment models that focus on enhancing coordination of care, a recommendation made by the Expert Group, and holds the ICC program as a model of this approach:
“St. Joseph’s Health System in Hamilton has already proved that this approach provides better and more integrated care for patients and their families. The government has invited other health care institutions and organizations across the province to participate.”
Congratulations to all our St. Joseph’s Home Care staff on their excellent work that is being recognized at the highest levels of healthcare in our province.
For more information contact:
Tanya Tomasino
Office of the President, Administration and Communications
Phone: (905) 522-6887 ext. 2225
Email: ttomasino@stjhc.ca
About St. Joseph’s Home Care
Established in 1921, St. Joseph’s Home Care (SJHC) is a not for profit charity dedicated to providing quality home care, community nursing and personal support services in the Greater Hamilton Area, with services including : nursing, foot care, personal support, therapies, caregiver relief, companionship, home cleaning, home maintenance, snow removal, lawn care, and meal preparation.
About St. Joseph’s Health System
Founded in the healing mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, St. Joseph's Health System was established in 1991 to meet the challenges of the changing environment for delivery of health and social services and takes pride in a system-wide commitment to caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Member organizations are: St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, St. Joseph's Health Centre in Guelph, St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre in Brantford, St. Joseph's Villa in Dundas, St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener and St. Joseph's Home Care in Hamilton. Each member offers services according to its strengths, from acute care, long-term care, and community care, to rehabilitation, hospice, community outreach, and mental health.