House calls returning to Ontario?

Ontarians will be able to count on house calls from their family doctors and nurses under a new Ontario Liberal plan, London North Centre Liberal Candidate Deb Matthews announced today.

"House calls are coming back to Ontario so anyone who has difficulty getting to appointments will be cared for right in their homes," said Matthews, who is also Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in Dalton McGuinty's Liberal government. "It makes it easier for them to stay comfortably where they want to be."

Matthews announced the proposed new program at the home of Barbara Burns, 83, whose mobility challenges make it difficult for her to travel to visit a family doctor. The proposed new program means that Mrs. Burns and any Ontarian who can't get to the doctor due to mobility issues or severe illness, will receive convenient, at-home treatment.

The program will offer services ranging from a health professional's visit (such as a doctor, nurse or occupational therapist), to phone and online consultations — all making access to health care easier, and more cost effective. Long-term care costs $150 per day per patient — and it grows to $1,000 per day in a hospital. Helping patients requiring complex care stay in their own homes while providing the treatment they need costs a fraction as much.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.