The Provincial Government will hold a series of public consultation sessions throughout the province in the coming weeks to seek input from stakeholders and the general public on the vision, mission and guiding principles that will form the basis of a new provincial long-term care and community support services strategy.

"Our government is committed to revitalizing and strengthening the provincial long-term care and community support services system in our province and enabling people to stay closer to their homes for as long as possible," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. "These consultations will provide an opportunity to hear directly from the public regarding the challenges and potential solutions in the current system and will help guide the development of a new provincial long-term care and community support services strategy."

Consultations will take place in the form of public meetings throughout the province, roundtable discussions with selected stakeholders, written submissions by mail or email, and verbal submissions by telephone.

Public meetings will be hosted by Minister Kennedy or Keith Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, and will take place in 20 communities throughout the province — St. John's, Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South, Carbonear, Placentia, Clarenville, Marystown, Harbour Breton, Bonavista, Twillingate, Gander, Springdale, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Port aux Basques, Plum Point, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador City and Hopedale. See below for a complete schedule, including dates, times and locations.

"Residents are encouraged to participate in the consultation process and to share input and ideas regarding the current and future long-term care and community support services system," said Minister Kennedy. "Feedback received will enable us to develop effective policies that will enhance programs and services available in the province."

Individuals wishing to make a presentation during the consultation sessions are asked to pre-register by email or by phone, as listed below, at least 48 hours prior to the consultation session they wish to attend. In addition, those registering are asked to obtain a copy of the discussion document Close to Home: A Vision for Long-Term Care and Community Supports Services on the Department of Health and Community Services' website. The document provides an overview of supports and services available and outlines a proposed vision for an improved system, as well as a potential service delivery model that will guide future program development. It also provides questions to support individuals in making their presentation at the public consultation.