Extendicare Southwood Lakes

Extendicare Applauds Patients First Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARKHAM, ONTARIO –December 17, 2015 – Extendicare Inc. congratulates the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on their recently released discussion paper entitled “Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario”.

Extendicare Inc. provides health services across the continuum of care including retirement living, long-term care and home care. Through its various divisions, the organization provides care to almost 100,000 people across the province. ParaMed, the home health care division of Extendicare, provides nursing, personal support and therapy services to 80,000 clients through 8,000 care providers in Ontario.

“We appreciate that this paper stresses the importance of integrating the health care system,” said Tim Lukenda, President and CEO of Extendicare. “As an organization that operates across the system, we look forward to working with the Ministry to provide our input and assistance in helping these changes take shape.”

The paper proposes an expanded mandate for Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) that would include primary care planning and performance management; home and community care management and service delivery; and developing formal linkages with public health to improve population and public health planning.

“As one of the largest home care providers in the province we are happy to see that this paper outlines some concrete actions that we believe will lead to more consistent and accessible home and community care,” said Rik Luneburg, Vice-President of ParaMed. “Providing excellent care to our clients remains our top priority and we will work with all partners to ensure continuity of care is maintained.”

ABOUT EXTENDICARE

Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors in Canada. Through our network of 116 operated senior care centres (62 owned/54 managed) as well as Canada’s largest private sector home health care operations, we are committed to delivering care throughout the health care continuum to meet the needs of a growing seniors’ population in Canada. Our qualified and highly trained workforce of 22,800 individuals is dedicated to helping people live better through a commitment to quality service and a passion for what we do.

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For further information contact:

Rebecca Scott Rawn

National Director, Communications and Strategic Partnerships

Tel: 905-470-5556 | Cell: 416-617-4993

rsscott@extendicare.com

www.extendicare.com

@extendicare