The Hon. John Tory with RN Judy Dempsey.
“We can hit a home run with home care” : Nurses to Tory
Toronto, ON, May 8 – John Tory, Leader of the Ontario PC Party and Leader of the Official Opposition, joined Saint Elizabeth Health Care and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario in celebrating Nursing Week by participating in a home care visit, followed by a roundtable discussion with community nurses.
Mr. Tory had the opportunity to experience the magic of home care firsthand when he accompanied RN Judy Dempsey on a home visit with a 78-year old palliative care client and retired university professor whose greatest wish is to die at home. Dempsey, a community nurse whose career has spanned an incredible 44 years, says providing care to people on their own terms – and own turf – is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
After the home visit, Mr. Tory joined a group of ten SEHC nurses for lunch, where he learned about the role registered nurses play in health promotion, education, treatment and care, along with the challenges clients face in getting optimal care, and opportunities to improve the work-life of community nurses.
“Our message to politicians and the public is that home and community-based care is absolutely necessary to the sustainability of our health care system,” says Nancy Lefebre, senior vice president of knowledge and practice at SEHC.
“We see the need, we see the potential, and we know we can hit a home run with home care. As community nurses, we’re ready, willing and able to step up to the plate,” she says, “but the system needs sufficient focus and investment from governments to ensure that home care is and continues to be available, reliable and accessible for people.”
“It’s clear that Mr. Tory shares our passion for health care and the issues,” adds Shirlee Sharkey, president and CEO. “He is a champion for new and innovative ways of doing things and today’s meeting provided a platform for some very constructive dialogue about delivering the right care, at the right time, by the right provider, at the right entry point.”
Take Your MPP to Work is an annual event organized by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario to celebrate Nursing Week. This year, National Nursing Week runs from May 7-13.
Saint Elizabeth Health Care (SEHC) is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization that shares its talent and wisdom nationally and internationally through direct care and service, consultation, and education and e-learning to support the transformation of care for families, health organizations and communities. With nearly a century of experience and a dynamic talent team of 3,700, SEHC delivers three million home care visits annually and has been recognized as both one of the 50 Best Employers and Best Workplaces in Canada.
-30-
Media contact:
Madonna Gallo
905-968-6430
mgallo@saintelizabeth.com