Toronto, April 27, 1998 – The Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) today issued its revised guidelines for reinvestments in home care, long-term care, mental health, rehabilitation and sub-acute care in Change and Transition. The planning guidelines represent a call for a $900 million annual reinvestment in health services for all Ontario.
Duncan Sinclair, Chair of the HSRC, said: "Change and Transition reinforces our message that restructuring is about rebalancing health care so the appropriate services will be available in the right places. With the help of experts in the health care field, we have developed planning guidelines that will guide reinvestments in those sectors that will support hospital restructuring and improve patient access to more services."
Change and Transition represents a call on the government to reinvest in services, primarily outside hospitals. The largest portion of this reinvestment is $680 million targeted for the long-term care system.
Change and Transition implies a significant change in approach to providing health services. The present focus on services in hospitals and facilities is rebalanced in Change and Transition, which recommends an emphasis on care received at home or other home-like settings. The report also provides advice and recommendations on implementing the planning and reinvestment guidelines to maintain patient care at all times.
Sinclair continued: "All elements of the health care system are linked and need to be strengthened. For instance, by increasing home care and long-term care, we will help solve the recurring problem of hospital emergency room backlogs. When appropriate alternatives are available, emergency rooms will be able to do what they do best: treating seriously ill and injured patients."
The annual service impacts across Ontario to 2003 that represent a call on the government to reinvest $934 million are:
With regard to the required pace of reinvestments, Sinclair said, "The Commission’s advice to the government is that major reinvestment in long-term care services must be made over the next two years in nursing homes, homes for the aged and home care. Once major initial reinvestments are made, the Ministry of Health must then evaluate ways to further increase services that allow Ontarians to remain in their home as long as feasible."
Change and Transition: Planning Guidelines and Implementation Strategies for Home Care, Long Term Care, Mental Health, Rehabilitation, Sub-acute Care incorporates the perspectives of individuals and organizations who responded to the discussion paper Rebuilding Ontario’s Health System, released in July 1997. Following the publication of Rebuilding Ontario’s Health System, the HSRC received substantial support and input from people in the health care field that was used to refine the initial guidelines.
The public can obtain information on the HSRC by visiting the Commission’s internet web site at http:\\www.hsrc-crss.org
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Contact: Paul Kilbertus (416) 327-5504
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