Ontario taking action to immediately increase staffing in LTC leading to more direct care for residents in Haldimand-Norfolk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Oct. 6, 2021

QUEEN’S PARK — The Ontario government will provide up to $270 million this year to long-term care homes across the province to increase staffing levels, leading to more direct care for residents. This includes $2,803,415 for long-term care homes in Haldimand-Norfolk. This is part of the province’s commitment to ensure long-term care residents receive—on average—four hours of direct care per day by 2024-25. It was also announced that as part of the government’s plan to fix long-term care, it will bring forward legislation that will enshrine its commitment to four hours of care into law.

These funds will increase care for residents at:

“This funding will allow homes in our community to hire and retain more staff so they can provide more care to residents, every day,” said MPP Toby Barrett. “This is part of our government’s plan to hire thousands of new staff over the next four years to ensure those living in long-term care get the high-quality care they need and deserve.”

“We know that more qualified staff means more daily care for residents,” said Rod Phillips, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Hiring more staff is part of our government’s plan to fix long-term care and to improve the quality of care residents receive and the quality of life they experience.” 

Currently, residents receive an average of two hours and 45 minutes of direct care from nurses and personal support workers. This funding will increase the daily average to 3 hours, per resident per day by the end of this fiscal year. This funding also includes $42.8M to homes to increase care by allied health care professionals (such as physiotherapists and social workers) by 10% this year.

The government is investing $4.9 billion over four years to boost direct resident care to an average of four hours daily by increasing care staff by more than 27,000 people. Hiring thousands of new staff at long-term homes and increasing the amount of care they deliver each year will be made possible by annual funding increases to homes:

QUICK FACTS

  • The Ontario government has established the Staffing Supply Accelerator Group to support the objectives of the long-term care staffing plan. The group includes participation from major stakeholders and champions the innovation, expansion and acceleration of education and training opportunities to help meet the demand for long-term care staff.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org