Minister Matthews wows Ontario Home Care Association crowd at Symposium

TORONTO, May 25, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Ontario's Minister of Health & Long-Term Care, the Honourable Deb Matthews attended the 5th annual Symposium hosted by Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA) yesterday. Minister Matthews thanked an attentive audience of 200 for the work that they do and said that "home care's time has come".

The Minister introduced Dr. Samir Sinha, also in attendance, who will lead the development and implementation of the Seniors Care Strategy, an important component of Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care. Dr. Sinha will consult broadly on how to support seniors at home and reduce hospital readmissions and pressure on long-term care homes. His recommendations will be provided to the Minister in the fall of 2012.

In her remarks the Minister committed to ensuring that seniors have access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place. Evidence has demonstrated that home care supports the frail and vulnerable in their homes and generates value for money. The Minister asked providers to be open to change in order to be partners in transforming the system.

OHCA President Stuart Cottrelle committed to work collaboratively with Minister Matthews and all health system partners to develop high quality responsive health care in the community.

On behalf thousands of Ontarians receiving home care, OHCA thanks Minister Matthews for the vision and the courage of her convictions to create a system that helps people to age with dignity at home.

About the OHCA

The OHCA, the voice of home care in Ontario, is a membership association representing providers of quality home care services from across Ontario. OHCA members represent an estimated 25,000 staff collectively serving 300,000 Ontarians per year. OHCA works with families as integral partners in the delivery of home care services and as such estimates that 1.2 million Ontarians are impacted by members. OHCA is dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the home and community health care sector by helping to shape health care policy, supporting members to excel, and being a leading source of information on home and community care. OHCA members are accredited through Accreditation Canada, CARF, and/or registered with the International Standards Association (ISO).

For the latest in news and information about the home care sector in Ontario, subscribe to the Ontario Home Care Association's "House Call" at www.homecareontario.ca.