Ontario may not meet its target for direct care in long-term care (LTC) facilities due to ongoing staff shortages, according to a recent document.
The document, obtained by CP24, reveals that the province may not be able to fulfill its commitment of providing an average of four hours of direct care per resident per day by 2025.
This target was set by the provincial government in response to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LTC homes, where staffing shortages were identified as a major contributing factor to the high number of deaths.
However, the document states that the current staffing levels in LTC homes are not sufficient to meet this target, and it is unlikely that the necessary number of staff will be hired in the next four years.
The document also highlights the challenges faced by LTC homes in recruiting and retaining staff, including low wages, high turnover rates, and a lack of full-time positions.
In response to this revelation, the Ontario Health Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group, has called on the government to take immediate action to address the staffing crisis in LTC homes.
They are urging the government to increase wages for LTC staff, provide full-time positions, and implement a minimum care standard of four hours per resident per day.
The coalition also emphasizes the need for increased funding for LTC homes to ensure that they have the resources to hire and retain an adequate number of staff.
In a statement to CP24, the Ministry of Long-Term Care acknowledged the challenges faced by LTC homes in meeting the direct care target, but stated that they are committed to working with the sector to address these issues.
They also noted that the government has already taken steps to increase staffing levels, including investing $1.9 billion in LTC homes and launching a recruitment campaign to attract more workers to the sector.
However, the Ontario Health Coalition argues that these measures are not enough and that urgent action is needed to prevent further tragedies in LTC homes.
As the province continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the pandemic on LTC homes, it is clear that addressing the staffing crisis must be a top priority in order to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
