Jones introduces bill to aid patients and families seeking addiction treatment

March 29, 2017 · 0 Comments

Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones has introduced legislation to ensure choice for patients and families seeking addiction treatment.
It’s called Bill 99 Choice for Patients Seeking Addiction Treatment Act, 2017.
She introduced the bill in the legislature at Queen’s Park March 1.
“The bill would amend the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act to require persons who operate a centre or a program that provides residential substance abuse treatment services to provide certain information to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and requiring the minister to publish that information,” Jones told the legislature, according to Hansard. “Basically, I just want it available to everyone.”
“My legislation would require the Minister of Heath to publish an easily accessible and searchable list detailing the following information about substance abuse treatment facilities: the name of the centre or program; the location and telephone number of the centre; list of services offered; if they have been accredited by a third party organization,” she said later.
“Patients and families often face long wait list for treatment and residential beds,” Jones added. “When an individual is open to receiving addiction treatment, we need to do everything we can to make it easier for people to find help.”
The bill will provide patients and families a database to give them choice and confidence in placing them into treatment, as well as allowing individuals to more quickly find treatment.