Armstrong says legislation needed to guarantee quality hands-on care for long-term care residents

LONDON – Teresa Armstrong (London—Fanshawe), Official Opposition NDP critic for long-term care, has released a statement in response to news that three London-area care homes rate the highest in Ontario for violations. According to CBC’s Marketplace, three for-profit London-area homes rank among the top 10 in multiple repeat violations for crucial aspects of patient care, including basic neglect, failure to address skin care needs, abuse and improper hydration.

“Under Ford’s government annual resident quality inspections, is a critical tool in protecting our vulnerable loved ones in long-term care homes, have decreased substantially and family caregivers have been locked out of homes, while at the same time the chronic staffing shortage has intensified.

Instead of working to protect residents in long-term care, Ford decided this week to table legislation that would shield his government and for-profit nursing homes from accountability.

We need common sense legislation like my private member’s bill Time to Care Act (Bill 13), which would legislate a minimum standard of care for seniors in long-term care. The interim recommendations released today by the Long-Term Care Commission endorse 4 hours of hands-on care, which is what my bill does. Residents deserve better quality care and families deserve accountability.

On Tuesday, the Ford government voted down an NDP proposal to replace for-profit long-term care corporations with a non-profit and public system. That change, along with my Time to Care bill is a pillar of the comprehensive plan the NDP has released, which includes a record investment and complete overhaul of home care and long-term care.”

Armstrong’s private member’s bill will be debated in the Ontario legislature on October 28.