COVID 19- RESPONSE
The federal government plays an important role in the health of Canadians. Although constitutional responsibility for funding and delivery of health care rests with the provinces and territories, the federal government has several responsibilities that impact health and social. Two important departments, Health Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada, have a direct impact on health and labor markets across Canada.
CONSISTENT EMPLOYMENT FOR UNREGULATED HEALTH CARE WORKERS
Recognizing the many challenges home and community care providers are facing during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the CHCA is working with our membership to engage the federal, provincial, and territorial governments on priority issues. We continue to identify challenges and opportunities that resonate across the country. Our policy team is collaborating with other national and regional organizations to create a strong advocacy agenda that will:
- Ensure the perspective of home and community care providers is considered
- Leverage the expertise of national and regional NGOs through collaborative partnerships
- Provide a reputable source of information to organizations
- Inform government policy directions that impact home and community care
Through a targeted advocacy strategy, we are informing government decision-makers and impacting the dialogue on urgent priorities.
CHALLENGES
Unregulated home health care workers (i.e. personal support workers / health care aides) who work in the home care sector earn on average 25% and 50 % less than workers in long-term care facilities and hospitals, respectively.
SOLUTIONS
Access to training, education, fair compensation, and secure working conditions is essential for these workers. As an immediate step to this goal, the CHCA asked the federal government for a “top up” compensation program that includes unregulated home health care workers providing essential services during COVID-19. Administered through the provincial / territorial governments the program recognizes bot publicly and privately paid providers.
CHALLENGES
Health care providers are experiencing a widespread shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessary supplies to ensure effective infection control and limit the spread of the virus during care delivery. Home and community care providers are often overlooked or not included in provincial PPE distribution strategies.
SOLUTIONS
Appropriate trained and equipped health care workers can provide safe and effective care to frail seniors and vulnerable individuals in the safety of their own homes. To make this happen the CHCA is advocating for access to personnel protective equipment (PPE) for home care providers, the creation of a reimbursement fund for providers who have experienced extraordinary financial burden due to inflated PPE prizes and unprecedented demand, and access to training on the proper use of PPE.