Budget Bulletin: Positive Implications of Health Budget Increase to Continuing Care Program

FINANCE--Budget Bulletin: Positive Implications of Health Budget Increase to Continuing Care Programming

The province is committed to offering Nova Scotians the right care at the right time in the right place. This broadens the definition of health care to add a greater emphasis to care provided outside a hospital setting.

Continuing care provides an array of services to support people in their community. It includes home care, nursing home care and protection for vulnerable adults.

In recognition of the widening scope of health care, the number- one priority in the Department of Health for the coming fiscal year is continuing care. This is a commitment to provide the necessary services to help support the independence and well-being of seniors and others who need care on a daily basis for either long-term or short-term health problems. Examples of this type of care include nursing homes, homes for the aged and smaller homes such as residential care facilities and community-based options homes. It also includes providing home oxygen, nursing and/or personal care at home.

Increasing the budget in continuing care will enable the Department of Health to enhance its help to people who can benefit from support in their homes or communities. It's interesting to note that less than half of the health budget goes to the district health authorities. A greater percentage is needed in program areas such as continuing care to meet the increasing demand for care outside hospitals.

Single-entry access is the new and simplified approach to connecting Nova Scotians to the continuing care they need, an example of meeting demand with enhanced service. The former Home Care Nova Scotia toll-free number provides one contact for seniors and others to connect with continuing care in this province.

Additional investments in continuing care this year include the following:

• Long-term Care The budget for long-term care in Nova Scotia is $204.4 million this year, an increase of $23 million. This money will go to improving the living environment for residents through capital improvements, upgraded accommodations and increased money for daily operating costs. The value of long-term care staff is being recognized through increased employee benefits, in particular workers' compensation benefits.

• Home Care Home-care spending will increase by $7 million. An additional $1 million has been given to the single-entry access process to ensure its stability through this introductory year. Money was added to the budget to continue the development of home-care services to best respond to the needs of clients. In addition, money was added to the home-care budget base for increased salary costs, including nursing.

NOTE: For further 2002-03 budget information, visit the Department of Finance Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .