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Health
& Wellness
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Check Up From The Neck Up
Take a load off your
mind, GTA - Get the checkup!
TORONTO, April 3 /CNW/ - Today marks a turning point for
the stressed out people in the GTA struggling with the ups
and downs of modern life. And it's a milestone for the one
in five who are directly affected by anxiety and mood
disorders. The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario is
launching Check Up From The Neck Up, a massive test pilot
mental health awareness campaign right here in the GTA to
help people take control of their mental health. We
challenge
300,000 residents over our 3-month multi media campaign -
featuring subway and Go-train posters, radio and print ads
- to take the checkup test for a snapshot of their mental
health. It is simple, private and self-administered and if
a person chooses to get more information or help MDAO has
set into motion a team involving the Ontario Psychological
Association, the Department of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook,
The Ontario College of Family Physicians and scores of
other agencies. "However we can't do it without your help,
getting the word out," says Karen Liberman, Executive
Director MDAO and spokesperson for the campaign. "Anyone
with a fever wouldn't think twice about taking their
temperature. But ask someone if they've done anything
recently to safeguard their mental health - something like
we're asking - and they might look at you like you're
crazy."
Toronto Mayor David Miller is appearing on one of the
posters in the campaign. "Taking the checkup is a great
idea," said Mayor Miller, who is lending his support to
the campaign. "It's a quick, easy and confidential way for
people to assess their mental health and access invaluable
resources. It can be as important as taking charge of your
physical health yet too often goes forgotten or gets
overlooked." The campaign formally kicks off Tuesday,
April 4 at noon at BCE place, Allen Lambert Galleria,
entrance off 181 Bay St. On hand will be hockey
great Ron Ellis, Liberman and two time Olympic gold medal
winner Jayna Heford.
For the mental health snapshot go to
checkupfromtheneckup.ca
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Families
and Residents Sending Strong Message to Government
MARKHAM,
ON, April 3 /CNW/ - Families, residents and
their supporters are sending a strong message to
government that long term care homes need more operating
funding to provide the care residents need with the
dignity they deserve and the respect they have earned.
In ridings across Ontario representatives of Family
Councils, Residents Councils and others have been
presenting MPPs with petitions calling for an increase of
$306 million in operating funding
to add 20 more minutes of
daily care for each resident. A number of these petitions
were presented in the Legislature last week.
OLTCA provided the petition as an opportunity for those
who directly experience long term care to express what
appeared to be a deepening frustration over the ongoing
struggle of homes to meet resident care needs. The
response was enthusiastic. "Family Councils and Residents
Councils supported the petition and took it upon
themselves to enlist the support of others," said OLTCA
Executive Director Karen Sullivan. "Over the past 2-3
weeks we have had reports of instances such as the member
of a Family Council from a member home who personally
collected some 250 signatures for their petition." "This
type of response reflects the fact that families and
residents see that while homes and staff are doing their
best with the funding government provides, it is just not
enough to do what needs to be done," she said. "Even with
past funding initiatives, they still see things like staff
having 10 minutes, or less, to get a resident up, dressed,
to the bathroom and then to the dining area for
breakfast."
Ms. Sullivan said, "it is clear that both families and
residents strongly disagree with any perception that
government has addressed long term care service levels and
that, for them, this is an issue of care, respect and
dignity for those who built this province." Over the
coming weeks OLTCA will be taking every opportunity to
reinforce the petition's message with government as part
of its continuing efforts to address the gap between level
of care required and level of care funded that was first
documented in the 2001 Level of Service Study.
OLTCA represents the operators of 428 private, not-for
profit, charitable and municipal homes throughout Ontario
providing care and accommodation to some 49,500 residents.
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McGuinty Government
Hits Target: 150 Family Health Teams Better Access To
Health Care For 2.5 Million Ontarians
TORONTO, April 6 /CNW/
- The Ontario government is strengthening health care for
working families by reaching its goal of creating 150
Family Health Teams, says Premier Dalton McGuinty. "These
150 teams will work to keep people healthy, as well as
treat them when they're sick," said Premier McGuinty.
"That means healthier Ontarians, a stronger health care
system and a better quality of life."
Today's announcement will bring Family Health Teams to 50
Ontario communities. The Premier spoke at the Etobicoke
Medical Centre, where a Family Health Team will include
doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care
professionals. They will work together to prevent illness,
promote wellness and provide access to 24-hour health
care. When fully operational, the team will serve over
32,000 patients. Physicians working in an
interdisciplinary group practice could see up to 50 per
cent more patients than those working in a solo practice.
The first Family Health Teams were announced last April,
and a second wave was added in December 2005. With this
latest group of teams, the government has reached its goal
of creating 150 Family Health Teams throughout Ontario.
Once all teams are up and running, they are expected to
improve access to health services for more than 2.5
million Ontarians. "Family Health Teams are the next
evolution in primary health care services and are changing
the way health care is being delivered right across the
province," said Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
George Smitherman. "They mean a stronger health care
system now and for generations to come." "There has been
tremendous interest in Family Health Teams right from when
this new and exciting concept was first introduced," said
Dr. Jim MacLean, Executive Lead for Primary Health Care
with the ministry's Health Results Team. "The teams have
grown rapidly, reaching hundreds of thousands of patients
who now are able to access the health services they need
and deserve."
"My team and I are delighted with the progress of Family
Health Teams over the last several months," said Dr.
Garnet Maley, Lead Physician, Prime Care Family Health
Team. "Our patients have really benefited from increased
access, better services and better outcomes, and we're
certain the new Family Health Teams announced today will
share in our success."
Family Health Teams are part of the government's plan for
innovation in public health care to serve people better.
This plan includes building a health care system that
delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy,
reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors
and nurses. "By reaching our goal of creating 150 Family
Health Teams, we're delivering on our commitment to
improve health care for working families across Ontario,"
said Premier McGuinty. "Not only will these teams meet
local health care needs, but they will promote a healthier
Ontario for years to come." |
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