Access the biggest health-care issue for Northerners

Access to health-care services was the main issue northerners raised in a recent survey by the North East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

“Regardless of the question, access was the predominant theme,” said Cynthia Stables, the North East LHIN's director of community engagement and communications. “People are looking for greater access to health-care services in the community.”

More than 1,000 people shared their thoughts on health-care delivery in northeastern Ontario, and the LHIN summarized their feedback in a report called Perceptions on the Northeastern Ontario Health Care System.

Stables said the North East LHIN has acknowledged people would rather receive community care, and would prefer not to go to the hospital unless they absolutely have to.

She said the province's $2.3-million investment in community mental health services March 27, was a good example of the kind of care that should be a priority for the region.

The funding March 27 included $1 million to establish a harm-reduction home that would provide a managed alcohol program and a facility that would provide supportive counselling, housing, social and clinical health services for people in Sudbury who are chronically homeless and are impacted by chronic substance abuse.

Many comments also pointed to service gaps when patients transition from one type of care, such as the hospital, to another, like home care.

“Once you're signed up to get care, you get really good care in northeastern Ontario,” Stables said. “As you move along that continuum, there are gaps.”

In addition to better access to services, those who responded to the North East LHIN's survey also asked for better communication – to find out what programs and services are available – more accountability from health care providers, and better co-ordination between services.