The province introduced legislation Thursday that would effectively disband Ontario's 14 Community Care Access Centres (CCACs).
The Patients First Act would give Ontario 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) an expanded role, including in primary care and home and community care, a role currently administered by the CCACs.
The provincial government said in a press release the changes would improve access to primary care for patients and improve local connections and communication between primary health care, hospitals, and home and community care to ensure more equitable access.
Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins told the Canadian Press Thursday he expects “significant savings” from disbanding the CCACs and transfering their responsibilities to the LHINs instead.
Hoskins said he expects most front-line staff currently with the CCACs would move to the LHINs.
