McGuinty Government Launches Public Engagement On Health Care

During this public engagement with Ontarians, the government will: - Engage a broad range of Ontarians - including the public and health care organizations - through focus groups, one-day sessions, telephone surveys and feedback from their local MPPs to discuss health care priorities and concerns. - Get feedback from the public through a website (www.ourplanforhealth.ca) or phone (1-866-532-3161) where they can also get information on other ways to get involved and receive information materials. The consultations will be part of the development of a strategic plan, which is a commitment legislated under the Local Health System Integration Act. These provincial consultations build on the advice received by the 14 Local Health Integration Networks during earlier discussions with providers and citizens. The plan, which will be released in the spring of 2007, will set priorities and targets for improvements to be made in the health care system over the next 10 years. The targets will allow the public to track the progress achieved. "It's about time that more Ontarians are provided a chance to directly influence the way health care is delivered over the next decade," said Smitherman. The launch of the public engagement is just the latest example of the McGuinty government's commitment to developing an improved health care system. Other initiatives include: - Passing of the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006, creating 14 Local Health Integration Networks to oversee the delivery of stronger, locally-planned health care - Investing more than $611 million in our Wait Times Strategy that has provided Ontarians with an additional 738,000 procedures - including MRI and CT scans; cancer, cardiac and cataract surgeries; and hip and knee replacements - Creating 150 Family Health Teams, which will improve access to primary care for more than 2.5 million Ontarians - Launching the HealthForceOntario strategy, including the creation of a marketing and recruitment centre to attract health care providers to Ontario - Ensuring children are now benefiting from three new vaccines free of charge - with more than 1.2 million vaccinations already protecting children from chicken pox, meningococcal meningitis and pneumococcal disease - Introducing the Health System Improvements Bill that includes proposed legislation to implement Operation Health Protection by establishing a new Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Agency. Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses. This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section. For more information on achievements in health care, visit: www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca. Disponible en français. Backgrounder ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONTARIO'S PLAN FOR HEALTH CARE

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The Ontario legislature passed the Local Health System Integration Act in March, 2006. The Act requires the government to develop a health care plan that includes a vision, priorities and strategic directions for the health system and make it available to the public. Developing this plan is an opportunity for the public to become involved and help determine how the system can meet their needs over the next 10 years. The McGuinty government will be engaging the public, front-line providers, local health care officials, and other stakeholders in a transparent planning process that will ensure Ontarians have a long-term plan for health care that reflects their values, priorities and concerns. The goal is to develop a long-term plan for continuing to build a stronger health care system, which will identify the changes and work toward the solutions so that our health care system is able to improve the overall health and future prosperity of all Ontarians. Building on Progress Over the past three years, the government has made a number of innovative changes in key priority areas to address urgent problems within the system. Thanks to the creation of 14 Local Health Integration Networks, the government has taken major steps forward on improving access to health care and reducing wait times for key health services. Now, the government wants to work together with the people of this province to identify the changes that are needed to re-build the system so it meets the long-term needs and expectations of the public, and improve the health and quality of life of Ontarians. Process for the 10 Year Strategic Plan The plan will provide clear direction by setting out a vision, priorities, and strategic directions for the health care system. It will set out three, five and 10-year goals for improving the health of Ontarians, access to necessary services, and sustaining the publicly funded health care system. The plan will provide direction to the health care system to meet challenges and realize opportunities in the future. It will also set out to measure performance expectations, which will be used to ensure progress is being made according to the 10-year plan. This strategic approach will help move Ontario's health care system toward long-term goals that improve health outcomes and keep the publicly funded system on a sustainable path for current and future generations. The plan, which will be released in the spring of 2007, will provide direction into future health system policy, planning, investment, and the operation of government and government agencies. Public Engagement The provincial public engagement will play a key role in the development of the 10-year plan. It will build on the advice received by the 14 Local Health Integration Networks during their own community engagement exercises over the past several months, as they have developed three year plans for the local delivery of health care services. The government's strategic planning process will involve a broader and longer-term (10 year) perspective, encompassing province wide services that are outside of LHIN responsibility, as well as looking at how to improve the overall health of Ontarians. LHINs will be consulted, engaged and involved to the extent they determine, throughout both the Plan development and Public Engagement activities. The public engagement with Ontarians includes the following elements:

- A website (www.ourplanforhealth.ca) telephone number (1-866-532-3161) and fax number (1-888-307-0747) where people can provide their views and get more information - Regional consultation dialogues in communities across Ontario in the new year - A health symposium with health care and community organizations to discuss trends, priorities and potential strategic directions with health care associations and related groups - Roundtable dialogues with francophone and aboriginal organizations - Focus groups with the general population, front-line health care providers, rural Ontarians, seniors, low income individuals, youth, women, disabled people, new Canadians, francophones, aboriginals, gay and lesbian individuals, caregivers, and homeless people - Surveys and web-based panels of Ontarians to discuss health care values, priorities and expectations Disponible en français. www.health.gov.on.ca

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

McGuinty Government Launches Public Engagement On Health Care

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