Friday, September 02, 2011
More Vans, More Rides, Better Access to Health Services for Champlain Residents
Champlain LHIN Focuses on Non-Urgent Medical Transportation
September 2, 2011 - The Champlain Local Health Integration Network is investing more than $730,000 in new annual funding to help people travel to health services such as seniors’ day programs and dialysis.
The program will be implemented across the region in Renfrew County, North Lanark/North Grenville, Ottawa, and the Eastern Counties. It will be particularly beneficial for rural residents, who often need to travel long distances for health appointments and medical procedures.
Expanding non-urgent medical transportation services is a top priority for both the LHIN and the community support agencies that deliver care. The new funds will expand existing transportation services. With an aging population and an increasing number of patients requiring treatments such as dialysis, demand for such services is growing.
The Champlain LHIN’s overall strategy is keep seniors healthy and independent in their own homes, and this project is an integral part of that goal. When seniors are unable to access health services, they may prematurely go to a long-term care home, or end up in a hospital emergency room.
In recent years, the Champlain LHIN has placed a strong focus on improving non-urgent medical transportation. In fact, since 2008, the LHIN has purchased 10 new vans plus 10 replacement vans for residents in rural and urban parts of our region. The Champlain LHIN has also put in place new technology that assists agencies in scheduling rides and sharing vans between multiple organizations.
Non-urgent medical transportation has been identified as a top concern for agencies that serve seniors. The Champlain LHIN will now be working closely with these agencies to put in place the expanded services.
QUOTES
“To benefit from health services, folks need to be able to access them easily, and that’s why non-urgent medical transportation is such an important issue for our region. This project shows how the Champlain LHIN collaborates with local communities and providers to find creative solutions to local health-care challenges.”
- Alex Munter, Champlain LHIN CEO
“The increased funding for non-urgent medical transportation will help so many of our clients, who risk being hospitalized because they simply aren’t able to travel the long distances to medical appointments on an ongoing basis. The expanded project is good news for seniors, for communities, and for the health system as a whole.”
- Joanna Chisnell, chair of the Champlain Community Support Network (representing community support agencies in the region) and Manager of Community Services at Marianhill.
QUICK FACTS
- The Champlain LHIN coordinates health services so that people receive the care they need and deserve in a timely manner.
- Our mandate is to ensure the services are well organized, appropriately funded and meet the needs of residents of all ages.
- The Champlain LHIN plans, coordinates and funds health services in the following health sectors: hospitals, home care (Champlain CCAC), addictions and mental health agencies, community support services, community health centres, and long-term care homes.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about the Champlain LHIN, go to our website www.champlainlhin.on.ca
Source: Champlain Local Health Integration Network
Email: champlain@lhins.on.ca
Website: www.champlainlhin.on.ca
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