The second factor that makes this subject urgent is that restructuring in the health sector has seen hospitals closed at a pace that has been faster than the organization and putting in place of the infrastructure for home and community care. The result has been an unmet demand. A third factor is demographics. If it is difficult to manage today's need for care of those who are elderly and unwell, it is only going to become more urgent as the population ages. With baby boomers now in their early 50s, demands will only increase.
Provinces are at different stages of development in home and community care.
They approach the task in different ways. They emphasize varied priorities. I do want to say that here in Nova Scotia, under the leadership of Dr. Jim Smith and the present government, real strides have been made in providing home and community care in communities where it is needed. I salute Jim and his team for the work that they have done. But as we look across the country, we see a mixture of long term, acute and preventive care services.