News release

Government Seeks Input on Continuing Care Plan

Health and Wellness

Government wants to hear from Nova Scotians about its plan for long-term and home care.

Continuing Care – A Path to 2017, was released by the province today, July 30. The document outlines a path forward for long-term care, home care and related services. It also recommends areas for ongoing focus and improvement based on a targeted evaluation of the original continuing care strategy released in 2006.

"We want the best possible care for seniors and others who need these services," said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. "At the same time, with the oldest population in the country, it's essential that we invest wisely and strategically to meet growing demand for home and long-term care."

The province's continuing care budget grew by 71 per cent between 2006 and 2015 and Nova Scotia now spends $808 million a year on these services.

The document, which will guide provincial planning until a new strategy is released in 2017, highlights 20 proposed directions, including:

  • refine the placement policy to ensure clients with the highest needs are prioritized
  • implement performance-based contracts for long-term care and home-care providers to help create a more accountable and sustainable system
  • explore opportunities for clients to receive funding directly to purchase services to meet their care needs
  • examine user-fee structures.

Nova Scotians can provide feedback via the Department of Health and Wellness website. Input will help shape the final document, which will be released in the fall.

"We can no longer tweak the system and expect it to be enough. We must make significant changes to protect the services that Nova Scotians will continue to need. An evaluation is just the first step. Now we need to hear from those who deliver services and the people who use them, to assess what needs to be changed or adjusted as we plan for the future," said Mr. Glavine.

Continuing Care – A Path to 2017, and continuing care strategy evaluation documents are available at www.novascotia.ca/dhw/continuingcarerefresh . Feedback will be accepted until Sept. 11.

A five-year continuing care strategy is set for release in 2017.