Journal Staff
A poverty law clinic in Sarnia is holding two free information sessions for people whose home care has been cut by the Erie St. Clair Community Care Access Centre.
The CCAC began reassessing the needs of sick people this fall and reducing their home care services, said Kathy Wodzinski, of Community Legal Assistance Sarnia.
Some people weren’t advised of the decision in writing, as required, given reasons for the cuts or told they can appeal, she said.
“Placing the burden of insufficient funding to health care on the backs of those most vulnerable, instead of at the door of the ministry charged with the responsibility of caring for the sick, is unconscionable.”
The information sessions will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16 at All Saints’ Anglican Church, 248 N. Vidal St., from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Their purpose is to address the cutbacks, inform people of their rights and assist with any appeals, Wodzinski said.
“It is not a difficult process to appeal a CCAC decision. However, people need to know they have the right to appeal and how to begin the process.”
The CCAC began scaling back home care hours this fall in response to a $5.9-million projected deficit. The centre received an additional $4.1 million late last month and was told it could run a deficit.
How the new money will impact the sick and elderly is not yet clear.
For more information on the forums, call 519-332-8055.
Community Legal Assistance Sarnia is funded by Legal Aid Ontario.