First announced by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in August 2011, the Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) project is a $40 million provincial investment intended on reinventing the system of care for seniors across Ontario. Of this investment, $1.6 million has been allocated to the Central East LHIN for the current fiscal year, and $4.06 million on an annual basis thereafter.
This new funding is aimed at enhancing services for seniors who display behaviours that are associated with complex and challenging mental health, dementia or other neurological conditions. Specifically, it supports local health service providers to hire new staff – nurses, personal support workers and other health care providers – and train them in the specialized skills necessary to provide care for these patients with dignity and respect.
By investing in local initiatives, BSO focuses on providing quality care for individuals, in an environment that is based on safety, high quality, evidence-based care and practice.
The four “early adopters” LHINs – Central East, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, North Simcoe Muskoka and South East – began developing and implementing their local plans in November 2011. The remaining ten LHINs began implementation in February 2012.
One of the goals of the BSO project is to ensure that staff working in health care settings, such as long-term care homes, hospitals and community agencies, have the training needed to respond appropriately to clients and patients with behavioural challenges. To date, more than 800 front-line staff and managers have received BSO training in the CE LHIN.
The Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) project is a collaboration between Local Health Integration Networks, Alzheimer Society of Ontario, Health Quality Ontario, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
For more information on the Behavioural Supports Ontario project in the CE LHIN, go to www.centraleastlhin.on.ca.