Ontario to increase direct care for long-term care residents to four hours daily

Nov 2 2020, 9:22 pm

Ontario government is increasing the hours of direct care for each long-term care resident to around four hours per day — an increase from the current two hours and 45 minutes.

On Monday, Premier Doug Ford made the announcement at Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, saying he “made a promise to long-term care residents, their families and their caregivers that we would deliver better care for our seniors.”

“Today, we are delivering on that promise and acting on the early recommendations of Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission. By increasing the hours of daily direct care for residents, we will improve their quality of life and ensure they are more comfortable and safe.”

Now residents will receive four hours of direct care, an increase from the two hours and 45 minutes currently given, Ford said.

Ford also announced that there will be “hard targets” set over the next four years in order to achieve this standard.

“Progress against these targets will be measured and reported regularly,” the province added.

Also to equip the new 3,700 frontline healthcare workers with the right training as part of the province’s COVID-19 Fall Preparedness Plan.

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) said that while they’re pleased with the announcement it must be “backed with appropriate investment and a commitment to full-time employment for PSW’s and nursing staff.”

“The crisis in long-term care requires immediate meaningful legislated action with a detailed plan to implement the newly announced minimum care standards,” OFL President Patty Coates said in a statement. “Care workers need a guarantee that personal support work, long-term care workers, is decent full-time work with benefits and pensions.”

The announcement was made in advance of the release of Ontario’s 2020 Budget on November 5.

According to the province, the next phase of Ontario’s Action Plan, Ontario’s 2020 Budget will focus on protecting and supporting people and employers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the province’s economic recovery.

Clarrie FeinsteinClarrie Feinstein

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