OLTCA welcomes the Ontario government's $30 million in transition funding

Money to be used to improve standard of care for long term care residents

MARKHAM, ON, April 26 /CNW/ - The Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) has welcomed today's announcement by the provincial government that it will invest $30 million in one-time funding to assist in the transition process required to implement changes under the new Long Term Care Homes Act.

The act comes into force on July 1 and is designed to improve the level of care offered to the province's oldest and frailest citizens.

The money will be distributed to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the long term care home sector in Ontario to assist in the transition process.

The funding is a significant recognition by the government of the challenges the sector faces with education and training to implement the new act and regulations.

The announcement was made by The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to over 1,500 delegates in attendance at the OLTCA's annual convention being held at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto.

"We are very appreciative of the minister's recognition of the role our members play in providing quality resident care, comfort and safety," said OLTCA President Grace Sweatman.

"We face significant transformation challenges and compliance changes. Additional resources for training and transition will be crucial to enable us to maintain resident care and services while homes prepare for the new regulatory system."

"We are encouraged the minister recognizes how important quality of care is to 76,000 of Ontario's oldest and frailest citizens," said OLTCA CEO Christina Bisanz.

"We are pleased with today's announcement. We look forward to working with the government as we transition to the realities of the new act."

The OLTCA is also working with the ministry, other stakeholders and the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) on a roadmap for the sector transition. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will provide more details on the allocation of the funding at a later date.

About the Ontario Long Term Care Association

OLTCA is the only association representing the full spectrum of Ontario's charitable, not-for-profit, municipal and private operators of over two-thirds of the province's long term care homes that provide care and services to 50,000 residents and employ some 50,000 Ontarians.

For further information: or to arrange interviews with Christina Bisanz, please contact James Bigg ([email protected], [phone] ext. 352 or [phone]); or Lucy Lai ([email protected], [phone] ext. 279)