HOME CARE SERVICES INCREASED IN PRINCE ALBERT PARKLAND HEALTH REGION

Released on February 14, 2006

Many hospital and mental health patients will be able to return to their homes sooner thanks to increased support to home care services by the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region and Saskatchewan Health.

This increased support meets a commitment made by Saskatchewan and other provinces and territories to institute a minimum set of home care services to be delivered across the country.

"Our government recognizes the value of the home care service," Health Minister Len Taylor said. "These new enhancements will support our acute care system by helping people to return home sooner and to provide quality support to people in their communities, thereby cutting down on the number of hospital admissions and re-admissions."

"This increase in home care services illustrates our commitment to people with mental health issues and their families by providing the supports they need in their homes," Healthy Living Services Minister Graham Addley said. "As well, we are providing 24-hour crisis support through our provincial HealthLine, ensuring access to the information and the support they need."

The Prince Albert Parkland Health Region will receive $176,000 annually, for the enhancement of current home care services and the addition of a mental health home care component.

"This funding allows the health region to provide necessary care in a home environment, where people are more comfortable and also to decrease pressures on acute-care facilities," Prince Albert Parkland Health Region CEO Cecile Hunt said.

Prince Albert Parkland Health Region submitted a plan to the government outlining the implementation process for this new initiative. The additional funding will enhance the case management, nursing, personal care, home IV administration and palliative care services currently provided by home care. In addition, fees for personal care services such as assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, mobility assistance and medication assistance will be eliminated, for up to 14 days, for individuals who meet the eligibility requirements for this short term acute home care initiative. Further, Saskatchewan Health and the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region will continue to ensure palliative care clients are provided with pharmaceuticals and supplies to address their needs near end-of-life.

The Region's acute and home care teams have a well-established program for moving clients from acute-care inpatient to home care.

The Region currently has a Palliative Care Team in the urban area to manage palliative and end-of-life care. The initiative will assist the clients in the rural settings to have better access to services by providing additional support in terms of nursing, home health aide and counseling support to clients and their families.

The Prince Albert Mental Health Centre will lead the Community Mental Health Care program. The program will utilize the skills of Community Mental Health Nurses and core group of community support workers. The additional funding will enable Prince Albert Parkland to offer more services based in Spiritwood to support clients in the western part of the Region, as well as adding additional resources based in Prince Albert. Crisis response will be offered on a provincial basis through the province's toll-free HealthLine.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083

Doug Dahl PA Parkland Health Region Prince Albert Phone: (306)765-6102