News Release
2003-93
December 5, 2003
For immediate release
Government of Canada announces a Canadian Home Care Association initiative for enhancing
partnership through a strengthened role of home care case management
OTTAWA - The Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier Mauril Bélanger announced
today, on behalf of Minister Anne McLellan, a Canadian Home Care Association initiative
to improve the delivery of collaborative primary health care by placing greater emphasis
on case management approaches to patients in the home care setting. Over $2.6 million in
funding from the Primary Health Care Transition Fund is being provided as part of the Government
of Canada's effort to support fundamental and sustainable changes to the organization,
funding and delivery of primary health care services resulting in improved access, accountability
and integration of services. Primary Health Care is the foundation of the health care system.
It comprises services such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, telephone health
information lines, mental health workers, and pharmacists, among others.
"This initiative will improve the quality of our health care system by expanding the information
and knowledge base necessary to facilitate informed decisions and best practices at the
national, provincial and local levels. This approach is a good representation of how we
can make things work," said Mauril Bélanger.
One of the challenges for people accessing home care is that the service is often seen
as "separate" from other parts of the health system. By enhancing partnerships in case
management with primary health care providers, patients can be provided a better level
of care. Instead of having to navigate across health systems or services, the system, through
partnerships, assumes responsibility for coordinating as many levels of service as possible.
The partners on this project are organizational representatives comprised of health care
providers, federal and provincial governments (Alberta and Ontario), regional health authorities,
research and academia, and other stakeholder associations. "By enhancing provider partnerships,
we improve the quality of health care delivery and this is to the benefit of all," added
Mr.Bélanger.
Funding for today's announcement originates from the $800 million Primary Health Care
Transition Fund (PHCTF) which was established in September 2000 by the Government of Canada
to support the efforts of provinces and territories and other stakeholders to develop and
implement transitional primary health care reform initiatives as part of the overall renewal
of Canada's health care system.
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Media Inquiries:
Emmanuel Chabot
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991/1-866-999-7612
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