The provincial government has made a major commitment to provide an average of four hours a day of direct care to seniors living in long term care homes by 2024/2025.
Appearing on CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show, Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, the Minister of Long Term Care, said the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the serious cracks in the long term care system and it’s high time for serious change.
She says thousands of Personal Support Workers, along with Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses will need to be hired.
Fullerton says recent pandemic pay increases to many health care workers has helped improve morale but raises aren’t the only answer to attracting people to the jobs.
“Clearly we have to change the environment that they are in and we need to make sure that they are supported and valued and I think that our overall outlook for long term care is one of innovation.”
Fullerton added that the unprecedented changes and investments will make Ontario the leader in Canada for its treatment of seniors.
Previously the Ford government had committed to 1,280 new long term care beds by 2022 and is carrying on with renovations updating some long term care homes each year.
The full interview with Dr. Merrilee Fullerton is heard below.
