Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
McGuinty Government Expands Action Line to Benefit Home Care
Ontarians Receiving Home Care Services Can Now Phone With Concerns And Complaints
TORONTO – The McGuinty government
is expanding the Long-Term Care Action Line so
that home care clients receiving care through their
local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) have
access to this service, Health and Long-Term Care
Minister George Smitherman announced
today.
“The Long-Term Care Action Line, which we
launched in 2004, has proven to be an effective
resource in hearing concerns or complaints from
residents of long-term care homes and their
families,” Smitherman said. “Now Ontarians who
receive home care or other support services can
use the Action Line, if they have a concern or
complaint about the services they are
receiving.”
Effective today, the Long-Term Care Action Line
is being expanded so home care clients or others,
such as family members, can call with any
concerns or complaints they have about
services.
Ontario residents can reach the Long-Term Care
Action Line at 1-866-876-7658 or TTY 1-800-387-
5559.
The line is being expanded in response to a
recommendation from Elinor Caplan’s May 2006
report on improving home care services in
Ontario.
CCACs coordinate access to nursing, therapy,
personal support and homemaking, and other
services to people at home; provide placement in
long-term care homes; and give out vital
information to caregivers about the services and
supports available to their friends and
family.
Until now, the Action Line was available only to
long-term home care residents and their family
members.
CCACs have an existing complaints process. While
clients are encouraged to work directly with their
home care provider, some may be reluctant to do
so. The expanded service offers these individuals
with an alternate option to address their
concerns.
CCAC clients will also have the option of working
with an independent complaints facilitator to
address any concerns. These facilitators, who are
located throughout the province, will respond to
clients within 10 business days and will work with
them to address concerns.
This is just the latest example of how the
McGuinty government is on the side of Ontario
families wanting quality community-based
services. Other initiatives include:
- Investing $340 million in home care since
2003/04;
- Providing $74.6 million over three years to
create an additional 22 Community Health
Centres and 17 satellites to improve access to the
full range of primary care services, including
health promotion and disease prevention;
- Investing $68.5 million to improve access to
community-based mental health services for
22,910 more Ontarians this year.
Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty
government’s plan for innovation in public health
care, building a system that delivers on three
priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing
wait times and providing better access to doctors
and nurses.
For further information :
Members of the media:
David Spencer, 416-327-4320
Minister`s Office
David Jensen, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Members of the general public:
1-866-532-3161
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