February 5, 1996
(Health)

Discussions being held on home support services

Suggestions on how to better deliver home support services within available resources will be considered by government and implemented where reasonable, said Health Minister Lloyd Matthews today regarding a series of discussions being held with both recipients and providers of home support services.

Mr. Matthews said there has been an ongoing dialogue between the Department of Health and community groups, recipients of the services and their families, and community health staff since changes to the program were first announced. "We have listened to some suggestions that have been put forward and we will consider them as the operational issues of the program are reviewed and finalized," said the minister. "We are prepared to make changes to the way we organize and deliver home support if the suggestions are reasonable and realistic to implement."

Mr. Matthews added that the changes regarding overall funding to the program would not be altered. "We have one of the most comprehensive home support programs in all of Canada, providing the second highest level of funding," said Mr. Matthews. "Home support is intended to offer minimal assistance to individuals living in their homes and supplement the support provided by families. It was never intended to provide the high level care normally provided in a nursing home. We have a continuum of care for the elderly that begins with home support for those with minimal needs and goes on to personal care homes and nursing homes when individuals require higher levels of care. No province in Canada provides a level of care in separate residential homes comparable to the level of care provided in nursing homes."

The minister stated that consultation with both users and providers of home support services would now focus on ensuring equitable access so that residents of each region of the province are entitled to an equal share of services. "There has been some concern that certain regions enjoy more home support services than others so we are striving to ensure balance in the system," said the minister.

Contact: Jill Sooley, Director of Public Relations, (709) 729- 1377.