Following tragic stories coming from several Ontario long-term care homes this month, there’s a renewed scrutiny on resident care quality and safety and “urgency to make a daily 4 hour resident care standard the law,” say advocates.

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016 care providers and residents’ family advocates are holding a media conference to make the case for the need to make a minimum of four hours daily care for long-term care residents the law in Ontario.

Media are invited to join the meeting for a media conference at 10 a.m. the North Bay Public Library, 271 Worthington Street East (North Bay). Media conference participants include:

  • Tom Carrothers, Chair Advocacy Committee of Family Councils.
  • Michael Hurley, President Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE) and CUPE Ontario First Vice-President.
  • Amanda Farrow-Giroux (Registered Practical Nurse who works in long-term care in the North Bay area).

There is no doubt say North Bay area personal support workers, registered practical nurses and others working on the front lines in long-term, along with residents’ families, that the crisis in care quality and staffing is real.

Backed by solid academic research and new proposed legislation (Bill 33, The Time to Care Act), that if passed would mandate a daily standard, there is “renewed pressure on the Ontario government to act. We encourage the health minister to support a legislated care standard. Residents, their families and front line staff urge you to do the right thing, and make 4 hours daily care for residents a reality,” says Hurley.