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Improve Community Support Services

On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Beginning in 2017, our Government will implement the Home Support Action Plan, released in August 2016, to transform the Provincial Home Support Program, in support of seniors and persons with disabilities. In addition, our Government will expand the role of personal care homes. These improvements will modernize service delivery of these community support services, support appropriate utilization of health care resources and be more client-centered.

What We’ve Accomplished:

  • Of the 25 improvement opportunities identified in the Home Support Action Plan, there are several actions that have been achieved to date:
    • A new brochure and client handbook has been developed to promote the Home Support Program and provide residents of the province with more information on what services can be offered and how to contact their local regional health authority for services.
    • There has been significant policy work completed with new standards for clinical assessment and support planning. A person receiving home support services will have an individualized support plan developed in collaboration with the person focusing on their goals and how supports can help them to remain more independent in their home and community.
    • A mentoring pilot project has been completed in the Regional Health Authorities to support clinicians in clinical assessment.
    • An initiative is underway to delegate risk-based clinical reassessment to Licensed Practical Nurses to dedicate nurses to working with more complex cases within their scope of practice.
    • A new intake screening tool was implemented on May 1, 2018 to support a more targeted and timely assessment of a person’s need for home care services to facilitate implementation of supports at home and avoid unnecessary utilization of acute care.
    • A performance management framework has been developed which will improve oversight and accountability of the Home Support Program.
  • Other initiatives identified in the Home Support Action Plan are under development and nearing readiness for implementation.