ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
TO: Vancouver City Council Date: June 1, 1995
CC16-95
FROM: Director of Continuing Care
SUBJECT: Enhanced Psychogeriatric Care Transfer Project
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the establishment of the following four (4)
regular full time positions with costs 100% recoverable from the
Ministry of Health, at an annual cost of $178,400:
3.0 FTE Community Health Nurses
1.0 FTE Clerk
These positions are subject to job evaluation by the General
Manager of Human Resources.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council, on February 3, 1994, approved a motion that any recommendations
for increased staff or enhanced programs be offset by corresponding
spending reductions or by increases in non-taxation revenues, subject to
Council discretion.
Council, on September 13, 1994, approved the following recommendations:
A. That Council approve the receipt of ongoing annual funding
from the Ministry of Health Continuing Care Division under the
Enhanced Psychogeriatric Care Transfer Project; 1994/95
funding is in the amount of $414,996.
B. That Council approved the receipt of ongoing annual funding
from the Ministry of Health Continuing Care Division under the
Psychogeriatric Care Transfer Project on behalf of the City of
Richmond; 1994/95 funding is in the amount of $75,000.
C. That Council approve the establishment of the following
permanent full time position, at no cost to the City: 1.0 FTE
Project Coordinator Position.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to establish
four regular full time positions at no cost to the City to support the
Enhanced Psychogeriatric Care Transfer Project. As noted, this is a
coordinated training and education program for staff in care facilities
who are providing care to residents with persistent and complex
dysfunctional behaviours.
BACKGROUND
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In connection with the downsizing of the Riverview facility, the
Ministry of Health initiated the transfer of funds to health departments
for new geriatric mental health programs which will enhance the capacity
of Continuing Care to provide care to the increasing number of geriatric
clients with mental health problems. The Vancouver Health Department,
in partnership with the Richmond Health Department, received a total of
$489,996 in annualized funding to operate the Enhanced Psychogeriatric
Care Transfer Project. A multi-agency advisory committee has been
established. A Project Coordinator was hired in March 1995. A detailed
needs assessment has been conducted. An inventory of relevant
educational resources has been compiled. The framework for the
educational program has been developed, along with the personnel
requirements to support the project.
DISCUSSION
The goal of the project is to develop and provide an active, consistent
and coordinated education and coaching program, delivered at different
levels of sophistication for different groups of residential facility
staff. The training will be on-site and developed in collaboration with
Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services.
Under the direction of the Project Coordinator, the Community Health
Nurses will participate in the development of educational modules, and
will deliver educational and coaching services to staff in care
facilities. Their skill sets will include geriatric psychiatry,
gerontology, teaching and counselling skills, skills in crisis
prevention education, and multiculturalism. The Clerical position will
provide clerical support to the project.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The Vancouver Health Department supports the need for better training
and education of staff in care facilities to meet the needs of persons
with persistent, dysfunctional behaviours.
PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
This proposal will involve establishing the following four (4) regular
full-time positions at no cost to the City::
3.0 FTE Community Health Nurses
1.0 FTE Clerk
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The project is fully funded under the Enhanced Psychogeriatric Care
Transfer Project of the Ministry of Health. This is annualized funding.
As with other Ministry of Health funded programs, an administration fee
of 3% of personnel costs will apply.
IMPLEMENTATION and COMMUNICATION
The Health Department staff will continue to work closely with the
Ministry of Health, Richmond Health Department, care facilities and the
Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services to operate the project.
A copy of this report is to be sent to the B.C.N.U. and V.M.R.E.U.
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CONCLUSION
Council should approve the proposal recommended by the Director of
Continuing Care.