WWLHIN Increases its Commitment to Support a Strong and Sustainable Community Care Access Centre

KITCHENER, ON - The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (WWLHIN) announced today an important initiative that increases its commitment to work with the Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Centre (WWCCAC) to ensure a strong and sustainable heatlh care organization for local residents. To assist the WWCCAC to become the system navigator and trusted quality care connector in the evolving local health care system, the WWLHIN Board of Directors passed a motion at a special board meeting to appoint a review team to work with the Centre. The appointment of the team will help the WWCCAC develop a Performance Improvement Plan to identify opportunities for its ongoing success in the overall system and delivering care for local residents. In October 2011, the WWLHIN identified numerous early indicators of risks to the success of the WWCCAC in its evolving role and also risks to achieving its obligations under the Service Accountability Agreement. The Board, at that time, passed a motion requiring the WWCCAC to take a more formal approach to improvement through development of a Performance Improvement Plan. At todays Board meeting, the WWLHIN passed a motion that the WWCCACs submitted Performance Improvement Plan not be approved. The review team will conduct a comprehensive organizational review to examine, assess and provide recommendations on matters including but not limited to improvement opportunities for the WWCCACs management effectiveness, financial management practices, operational effectiveness, governance effectiveness and productivity and utilization efficiencies. The WWLHIN has invested significantly in the Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Centre recognizing its integral role in providing home care services, as well as its leadership role in strategic initiatives designed to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. The WWCCACs base funding has increased by 34.8% since 2007 - 2008, including more than 3% in operating funding received this year. The Network has also invested an additional $3.5 million over two years for delivery on specific strategic initiatives. In 2011 - 2012, the WWCCAC has a budget of $111 million to provide quality care for residents in Waterloo Wellington. QUOTES Our number one priority is to ensure that residents in Waterloo Wellington have access to high quality care and that taxpayers receive good value for the significant dollars we have invested in the WWCCAC. We have asked the WWCCAC to formally address opportunities for organizational improvement in a Performance Improvement Plan. Appointing a review team is a proactive measure as we continue to work together with the WWCCAC to position them for success. We will provide updates to our Board and community throughout this process, said Joan Fisk, WWLHIN Board Chair.
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February 22, 2012 -2-

She added that the WWLHIN team has been working with the WWCCAC administrative team and the Board of Directors over the past several months to discuss their evolving and changing role in the health care system. The importance of delivery of home care is further outlined in the Governments Action Plan. QUICK FACTS LHINs are the only organizations in Ontario that bring together health care partners from the following sectors - hospitals, community care, community support services, community mental health and addictions, community health centres and long-term care - to develop innovative, collaborative solutions leading to more timely access to high quality services for the residents of Waterloo Wellington and Ontario. By supporting these important partnerships, LHINs are ensuring that Ontarians have access to an effective and efficient health care system that delivers improved health care results and a better patient experience. The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network is responsible for planning, integrating, coordinating and providing funding to 79 health service providers in Waterloo Region, Wellington County and South Grey. The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network operates an annual health care budget of close to $982.6 million. MORE INFORMATION Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network: www.wwlhin.on.ca -30For additional information contact: Toni Adey Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs February 22, 2012 2011/2012:23