Privatizing government home care 'not even part of our discussions,' says P.E.I. health minister

P.E.I. Health Minister Robert Henderson says his departmenthas no plans to privatize any of the Island's public home care services.

Hendersonsays he isexploring how to best spend $25 million in federal health accord funding, promised to the P.E.I. government to help improveits home care services.

But the minister says rumoursthat the province plans to turn its home care services over to private companies are false.

"That's not even part of our discussions within our department," said Henderson."Although I did note that...in Manitoba, the premier there has looked at a review of home care and looking at the concept of privatization, that's not a direction I'm planning on heading as Minister."

Islanders concerned about privatization, says opposition

Opposition seniorscritic Darlene Compton says she has heard concerns from Islanders worriedthey'll soon be forced to pay out-of-pocket for home care, and from government workersworried their jobs could be at risk.

"Isthe model going to change? Is it going to become private, or remain public?Those are questions I'm hearing," said Compton. 'It's a concern for the workers."

Kim Baglole says she's been taking the rumours seriously, and is worried what privatization could mean for her family's finances.

Isthe model going to change? Is it going to become private?- Darlene Compton, PC opposition seniors critic

Baglole's husband has multiple sclerosis, and depends on government home care workers tohelp him shower five days a week.

She says the service would cost $600/month through a private company.

"My husband is on a fixed income because of his illness and I've had to reduce my work to three days a week," said Baglole."If this becomes a reality, I'm going to fight it every way I can."

No job losses or out-of-pocket costs, says province

A spokesperson for P.E.I.'s health department said Friday the department is exploring ways to "fill the gaps" in home care, including the potential for more partnerships,like the one it currently has with Island EMS through theProvincial Integrated Palliative Care Program.

Under the program, Island EMS' paramedics are available to provide palliative care to patients at home, when regular home care workers aren't available.

But the spokespersonsays even if the province considers morepartnerships like that,"there'll be no job losses...there'll be no cost to Islanders."

As it stands, private companies do offer home care services to Islanders, with the cost of those services paid either out of pocket or through private insurance.

Priority for public home care goes to Islanders based on health needs and available staff resources.

The health department says it should have more details on how it plans to improve public home care on the island, once it's been given more guidance from the federal government on how its health accord funding can be spent.

CBC also heard Fridayfrom MedavieHealth Services- the company that operates Island EMS, andhas been referenced in some of the privatization rumours.

A spokesperson for the company said in an emailthat Medavie"has not entered into any discussions with the province regarding assuming responsibility for home care delivery."