Ontario Long Term Care Association echoes its plan to tackle hallway medicine following a landmark letter writing campaign
TORONTO, March 29, 2019 /CNW/ - With the release of the new provincial government's first budget quickly approaching, the Ontario Long Term Care Association wrapped up its advocacy campaign calling for investments in seniors' care. Following a landmark Better Seniors Care campaign — resulting in Ontarians writing more than 80,000 letters to their local MPPs — the Association is committed to assisting with the province's goal of ending hallway medicine.
"We look forward to welcoming the provincial budget and continuing to collaborate with the government to find solutions to Ontario's most pressing health care challenges," said Dan Kaniuk, Chair of the Board for the Ontario Long Term Care Association. "Tens of thousands of Ontarians voiced their support for the Association's plan to help end hallway medicine by hiring more staff, building new long-term care beds and reducing paperwork."
In October 2018, the Association revealed its recommendations to help the province in providing better care environments while also relieving pressure on hospitals and promoting cost savings. Some of the outlined recommendations include:
- Hire more staff for long-term care: Change the requirement for 24/7 registered nurse coverage to 24/7 registered staff coverage when appropriate, and ensure homes can utilize more flexible approaches to staffing.
- Build and modernize long-term care homes: Focus on adding the government's promised 15,000 new beds to existing homes, making them more economical to redevelop in the future.
- Focus on care, not on unnecessary government paperwork: Conduct a legislative review of the Long-Term Care Homes Act to limit the unintended administrative burden care staff face on a daily basis.
Ontario's MPPs received a record-breaking 80,560 letters from individuals across the province calling for better seniors' care. The letters were signed by long-term care residents, family members, dedicated staff and concerned Ontarians seeking improvements to the province's long-term care system.
About the Ontario Long Term Care Association
The Ontario Long Term Care Association is the largest association of long-term care providers in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long-term care operators — private, not-for-profit, charitable, and municipal. The Association represents nearly 70% of Ontario's 630 long-term care homes, located in communities across the province. Our members provide care and accommodation services to more than 70,000 residents annually.
SOURCE Ontario Long Term Care Association
Kim Lucchetta, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Ontario Long Term Care Association, 647-256-3494, [email protected]
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