LTC must make voice heard at LHIN: Hadley
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 -- John Driscoll
The development of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) across the province poses a challenge for long- term care homes in 2006, says Leeanne Hadley, administrator and director of care at Streamway Villa in Cobourg.

“We want to be an active participant in the LHIN and the challenge involves being able to get our voice heard,” Leeanne says.

The establishment of 14 LHINs this year is a key component of the provincial government’s efforts to de-centralize control and develop a more integrated health care system, with the LHINs providing planning, co-ordination and funding of health care services within their regions.

Hospitals, community care access centres, home care, mental health, community health centres and addiction and community support services as well as long-term care homes are included in each network.

Streamway is part of the Central East LHIN, the largest in the province by population with about 1.5 million people. It includes Scarborough, Durham Region and the counties of Peterborough, Victoria, Haliburton and Northumberland.

The development of the LHINs, along with new demands from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will make 2006 a challenging year, Leeanne says.

For Streamway, as with many other small, older homes, there is also the challenge of competing with newer homes, she says.

Leeanne counts 2005 as a successful year both in occupancy rates and recruitment of registered nurses.

“At the beginning of the year, we were having trouble with our occupancy rate but it has increased over past four or five months and we now have full occupancy and a waiting list,” she says.

Streamway was also able to attract enough registered nurses (RNs) to fully comply with the provincially mandated 24-hour RN service, Leeanne says. “It takes a lot of time and effort,” she says.

Building improvements including a new roof, new windows and new furniture in 2005 made a noticeable difference at the home, she says. The home was also able to obtain vital new medical equipment through Ministry funding and that has helped to ensure quality care for residents, Leeanne says.