Health Committee on May 11th, 2010

[Elizabeth Steggles]

We work in so many different areas that it's difficult to answer that question quickly. Basically occupational therapists help to enhance an ability to take part in daily activities of life. They help people be more independent in their self-care, in the way they look after themselves in the work they need to do or in leisure. As a result of anything that is not addressed in that field, they may be a less productive person, and a person who we know is less productive or who is deprived of occupation is usually a less healthy person.

[Dr. Jack Kitts]

Can I add to that?

In our hospital I think occupational therapy is one of the underutilized and undervalued professions that could add more value. In our hospital patients stay longer, and when they go home they can't cope, so they either are re-admitted or go to another facility. I think occupational therapy is essential as part of a team.

[Patrick Brown, Conservative, Barrie, ON]

This is a question for the community colleges. We have an excellent community college in Barrie, Ontario—Georgian College--that has a focus on health and wellness. One thing they pride themselves on is the fact that most people who graduate go right into a job.

Do you find that typical everywhere in the health and wellness field, that there's an instant take-up?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Mr. Brown, you are very close to your time.

So maybe respond quickly, so that we'll have one more question.

Who wants to comment on Mr. Brown's question?

[Terry Anne Boyles]

There is about a 94% placement rate across the country as a whole. If the community wants more grads, we don't have the capacity to provide them.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Ms. Murray, take just one quick question, please.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Thank you.

We heard that change is needed and that data is essential to the right kind of change. Would the panellists recommend to this committee that Stats Canada, or any other federal body that collects data linked to population changes or social or environmental determinants of health, make that data available free to the organizations that are doing this kind of analysis? Is that a recommendation you would support?

[Rae Gropper]

I would support it most emphatically and strongly.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

And would you have it available to the communities for their planning as well?

[Rae Gropper]

Absolutely.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Thank you.

This is the culmination of our presentation.

[Carolyn Bennett, Liberal, St. Paul's, ON]

Dr. Neudorf was nodding. Did you see that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Joy Smith]

Good.

This is the end of our presentations today. I want to thank you so much for coming and giving your insightful comments. It's been very useful to our committee.

We will adjourn this committee to go into the subcommittee on neurological disorders shortly.