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NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces expansion to action line to benefit home care

Sault residents receiving greater access to address health care concerns

QUEEN'S PARK - 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, Sault MPP David Orazietti announced today.

"The Long-Term Care Action Line has proven to be an effective resource in hearing concerns or complaints from residents of long-term care homes," Orazietti said. "Now home care clients in Sault Ste. Marie who receive home care or other support services in their homes can use this action line if they have a concern or complaint about the services they're 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 about services.

Residents in Sault Ste. Marie 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, which began in January 2004 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 help resolve any concerns.

These facilitators, who are located throughout the province, will respond to clients within 10 business days and will work with them to resolve 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.

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