Liberals’ health “action plan” ignores minimum care standard for frail long-term care residents. Advocates will speak on this issue at media conferences taking place in cities across Ontario over the next two weeks. The events will include a six-minute video featuring LTC workers.
The Ontario government’s so-called “action plan” for health care, released earlier this month, lacks the long-promised minimum standard of care for the province’s 85,000 residents of long-term care (LTC).
The Liberal government first promised a legislated care standard in 2003. Years later, residents, most of whom are 85 years old or older, are still waiting. Many of them are quite frail, and most of them have complex medical needs.
They deserve a minimum standard of care of 3.5 hours of direct care per day, LTC direct care workers will say at Thursday’s media conference.
For more information about the need for a minimum care standard in LTC, please visit cupe.on.ca/timetocare.
3.5 Hours of Care” Media Events:
WHERE |
WHEN |
SPEAKERS |
Kingston |
Monday, Feb. 6, at 12 p.m.
|
Michael Hurley, president, OCHU (CUPE); Joanne Waddell, front-line LTC worker; and Bonnie Soucie, front-line LTC worker, OCHU |
London |
Thursday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m.
|
Michael Hurley (CUPE), Pat Riedel (HCWCC), and Irene Fitzpatrick (OCHU). |
Niagara Falls |
Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. |
Susan Schmidt, registered practical nurse, Region of Niagara, president of Local 1263, chair of HCWCC and president of Niagara District CUPE Council; with Sharon Bezotosny, front-line LTC worker. |
Ottawa |
Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. |
Michael Hurley (CUPE), Joanne Waddell (HCWCC), and Bonnie Soucie (OCHU). |
Peterborough |
Thursday, Feb. 16, at 12 p.m. |
Candace Rennick, secretary-treasurer, CUPE Ontario; Karen Popadynetz, personal support worker (PSW); and Maggie Jewell, registered practical nurse, OCHU. |
Cornwall
|
TBA |
|
Guelph
|
Wednesday, Feb. 29, at 10 a.m.
|
Michael Hurley (CUPE), Joanne Waddell (HCWCC), and Irene Fitzpatrick (OCHU). |
Hamilton
|
Wednesday, Feb. 29, at 2 p.m.
|
Michael Hurley (CUPE), Joanne Waddell (HCWCC), and Alicia Elliston (OCHU). |
Sault Ste. Marie
|
Monday, March 12, at 10 a.m.
|
Sue Schmidt (CUPE), Corrine Haber (HCWCC), and TBD (OCHU). |
Sudbury |
Thursday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m.
|
Susan Schmidt (CUPE), Corrine Haber (HCWCC), and Sharon Crowe (OCHU). |
Windsor 5645 Wyandotte St E. |
Thursday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m.
|
Susan Schmidt (CUPE), TBA (HCWCC), and Sharon Crowe (OCHU). |
Direct care LTC workers are also reaching out to their provincial Members of Parliament (MPP) to urge them to make it a priority to develop a minimum care standard in the upcoming legislative session.
The following meetings with MPPs have been scheduled:
- Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orleans): February 16 at 2 p.m.
- Grant Crack (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell): February 17 at 10 a.m.
- Madelaine Meilleur (Ottawa-Vanier): February 17 at 2 p.m.
- Jeff Leal (Peterborough): February 17 at 11 a.m.
- Kim Craitor (Niagara Falls) is scheduled for February 17 at 10 a.m.
For more information, please contact:
Stella Yeadon
CUPE Communications
416-559-9300