OTTAWA, Feb. 11 /CNW/ - More Champlain-area residents will have assistance in their search for a health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) thanks to new provincial funding announced today by the Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC).
The funding will allow for the creation of two new full-time Care Connectors at the Champlain CCAC as part of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's Health Care Connect program. Since February 2009, this innovative province-wide program has been devoted to increasing Ontarians' access to family health care.
At the core of Health Care Connect is the role of the Care Connector - experienced registered nurses who refer patients to a family doctor or nurse practitioner in their community. This funding announcement doubles the number of Care Connectors at the Champlain CCAC to four.
"We are pleased to receive this funding and increase our ability to help connect people with the highest quality care possible," says Gilles Lanteigne, CEO, Champlain CCAC. "Our Care Connectors' hands-on, individualized approach is making a difference in our communities by successfully matching people to the most appropriate doctor or nurse practitioner."
As of December 31, 2010, more than 4,200 people in the Champlain LHIN have been referred to a health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) through Health Care Connect. Of those patients with high needs, 85 per cent have been referred to a provider. Seventy per cent of all people referred have been connected with a provider within 10 km of their home.
"The Health Care Connect program aims to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits by matching up patients with family doctors and nurse practitioners who will provide ongoing, high-quality primary care," says Alex Munter, Champlain LHIN CEO. "While the program has been a success, there is still more work to do, so the increased investment is good news for communities in Champlain."
For more information about Care Connectors and Health Care Connect, call 1-800-445-1822 or go to www.ccac-ont.ca/Content.aspx?EnterpriseID=15&LanguageID=1&MenuID=1076.
About the Champlain CCAC
The Champlain Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) is the second largest health service provider in the Champlain LHIN with a budget of approximately $182 million and 660 staff. It serves more than 52,000 clients annually across our region.
The Champlain CCAC provides a single point of access to health and personal support services to help people live independently in their homes or to facilitate their transition into a long term care home. The CCAC plans, coordinates and ensures the delivery of a full-range of in home and community-based services to support clients and their caregivers. In addition, the CCAC provides clients with information and connects clients to alternate sources of care in the community.
For further information:
Suzanne Charest
Senior Communications Manager
Champlain CCAC
Phone: 613-745-8124 ext. 5997
Cell: 613-864-3925
E-mail: suzanne.charest@champlain.ccac-ont.ca