OANHSS Supports Proposed Measures to Target Risk in Long Term Care Homes

TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Proposed changes announced today by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to strengthen quality inspections in long term care homes are an important step forward.

The government plans to introduce new measures aimed at homes that repeatedly do not comply with the requirements of the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007. This action is in response to recommendations put forward in the 2015 Auditor General's Report.

"OANHSS has long advocated for a more risk-based approach to long term care home inspections that targets issues that impact directly on the care and safety of residents," said Catharine Gapp, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors. "While the vast majority of homes are in compliance with provincial legislation and regulations, these proposed measures will appropriately address situations where there are repeated issues."

In its discussions with the Ministry on these proposals, OANHSS has made it clear that any new measures must not unfairly target homes where non-compliance is caused by system issues – such as nursing shortages – that are outside the control of the home.

"We will continue to ask that the Minister turn his attention to the critical system issues that are challenging homes in their ability to consistently deliver high quality care to residents," added Gapp.

About OANHSS
OANHSS is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors. Members include not-for-profit long term care homes (municipal, charitable and non-profit nursing homes), seniors' housing, supportive housing, and community service agencies. Member organizations serve over 36,000 long term care residents annually and operate over 8,000 seniors' housing units across the province.

SOURCE Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS)

Media contact: Debbie Humphreys, Senior Director, Corporate and Public Affairs, [phone] x233

Related Links

http://www.oanhss.org