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Neurological Strategy Consultations
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It is estimated that over one million Ontarians are living with a neurological condition today. These are conditions that span every age and stage of life. They are often progressive and at present, not curable. For individuals, families, communities and our province overall, the health, social and economic costs of neurological conditions are enormous. Historically, neurological conditions have been considered on a condition-specific basis, not as a category of illness with commonalities. Health charities have advocated individually to government with limited success.
In 2008, health charities representing Canadians with a variety of neurological conditions came together to form a coalition. While not precluding work by individual coalition members, Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) was borne of the recognition that the needs of the millions of Canadian families dealing with the many chronic diseases, injuries and conditions affecting the neurological system can also be supported through cooperative effort.
Over the past year, the NCHH has been working with the Health System Strategy Division (HSSD) of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to identify common issues facing Ontarians with neurological conditions. Both parties have agreed to work together to explore strategies and develop options aimed at developing an Ontario Neurological Strategy.
The relationship between the HSSD and the NHCC is a partnership – one that will be managed by a joint working committee and documented for learning and reflection. The HSSD has committed funding and human resources to support the development of the strategy; and the NHCC has committed to overall project leadership and coordination, including the provision of direct stakeholder feedback. The executive director of the Toronto ABI Network has been invited to participate in the province-wide consultations occurring throughout October and November.
The purpose of this project is to develop a set of recommendations that would form the basis of an integrated Ontario Neurological Strategy. These recommendations will support the achievement of government priorities (health, social and economic) by identifying opportunities to leverage existing resources and new investments to improve services and supports for Ontarians with neurological conditions. This project will support the creation of a comprehensive multi-ministry neurological strategy for Ontario. Acquired brain injury is specifically included within this strategy.
If the strategy is implemented, the anticipated benefits will be:
- To Ontarians living with neurological conditions:
- Reduction in the impact of disability enabling individuals to participate more fully in life
- Improved access to services and support
- Greater equity in services and support provision.
- To the Government of Ontario:
- Improved services and supports for individuals with neurological conditions and their care partners through strategic investments that build on existing programs and services and leverage linkages with identified government priority activities
- Identified short and longer term targets to assist in the evaluation of the impact of the strategy
- Optimized health care resource utilization
- Improved coordination of care.
This initiative is led by the NHCC, with support from the MOHLTC. The project will receive executive leadership from Joyce Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, Parkinson Society Canada, Chair Neurological Health Charities Canada, and Adalsteinn Brown, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health System Strategy Division, MOHLTC and as co-executive sponsors.
The Joint Working Group (JWG) is chaired by Kent Bassett-Spiers, CEO, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (as a member of the NHCC) and the JWG membership consists of representatives from NHCC as well as the MOHLTC.
For further information on NHCC please go to www.neurohealthcharities.ca
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