Ontario long-term care homes are getting a big funding boost.
Minister of long-term care Rod Phillips announced that the Ontario government would provide $270 million this year to long term care homes. The funding comes to help increase staffing levels to get closer to achieving the province’s goal of residents getting four hours of direct care each day.
In addition to the funding this year, the province will increase their funding each year, for a total of $4.9 billion over the next 4 years.
“This increase in staff support to resident care has been championed for years by residents, families and advocates,” Phillips said during a press event today. “I want to thank all of them for their passion and commitment to improving the life of our seniors in long term care”
In addition to the funding, the Minister also announced the intention to bring forward legislation that would permanently enshrine the commitment to four hours of care into law.
“Improving care for residents is a key part of our plan to fix long term care. Not only are we making historic investments in staffing and care, we are providing a level of funding certainty to homes that they’ve never had before.”
When asked about LTC workers who may have several jobs due to low income and are a risk of infection, and how this funding will help them, Minister Phillips stated the funding will allow home operators to hire more permanent full time employees.
“Obviously, we need more nurses, we need more PSW’s, we need more staff members and they need to want to work in an environment where they feel appreciated.”
This announcement comes after the Throne Speech earlier this week promised 30’000 new net beds for LTC homes in Ontario.
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