Task Force to Move Ahead with Continuing Care Investment

Health Minister Jim Smith today announced a third action team to guide initiatives identified by the Health Investment Fund, one that will focus on government's investment in all aspects of continuing care service delivery.

"One of the key priorities of the Health Investment Fund is to reduce the pressure on our hospitals and acute care facilities by investing in more nursing home beds and expanding home care services," Dr. Smith said in the legislature. "The work of this action team is critical to the success of this initiative and to the future direction of health care in this province."

The continuing care action team will guide government's planned $70-million investment in this area as outlined in investment fund. The fund allocates $15 million in 1999-2000, $30 million in 2000-01, and $25 million in 2001-02 toward the expansion and co-ordination of home care and long-term care services in communities throughout the province.

The mandate of the task force is twofold. It will develop strategies to build and expand capacity in the continuing care sector, which involves long-term care and home care including the addition of long-term care beds and the expansion of services such as physio/occupational therapy, palliative, respite and adult day care. In addition, it will make continuing care easier to access through the creation of a single entry point.

The team's terms of reference also call for an immediate assessment of existing long-term care and home care programs and services.

The action team includes a wide range of professionals from the long-term care sector. The team will be co-chaired by Bob St. Laurent of the Department of Health and Barb Burley of the Department of Community Services. Other members include Brian MacLeod, MacLeod Group; Carol Evans, Metro Community Housing Association; Debra Lee, Associated Homes for Special Care, and Sheila Barnett, Townsview Estates.

"The establishment of this action team reflects government's commitment to improving the quality of health care for Nova Scotians, ensuring the right service is provided to the right person at the right time," said Dr. Smith. "The knowledge and experience that our health care partners bring to the table is essential to our strategic allocation of resources in this area."

Two other action teams were earlier announced: one to allocate new nursing staff and the second to develop a provincewide information system.