July 2nd, 2020

We can't go back to 'normal’: Ontario NDP hosts virtual summit on transforming long-term care

QUEEN'S PARK — Andrea Horwath and the Ontario NDP will host a virtual summit Thursday to discuss transforming long-term care and home care; a critical step towards building the NDP's 2022 vision for a better life for Ontarians as they age.

Horwath is bringing together frontline health care workers and caregivers, long-term care experts, physicians, unions, policy experts, patient advocates and family members to chart a path for fixing a system broken by decades of government neglect, privatization, underfunding and understaffing. The COVID-19 crisis laid bare the disaster lurking in long-term care, and Horwath says the summit starts from the viewpoint that the province should never return to the pre-pandemic normal, where seniors were far too often neglected, and lost their quality of life once they entered care.

“So many families are now grieving the loss of a loved one who died in long-term care. While we are incredibly grateful to the health care workers who have been fighting to save lives in a system ravaged by COVID-19, we will never look back and believe Ontario won this battle. We’ve already lost too much,” said Horwath. “We can't go back to normal when it comes to long-term care. The system strips too many people of their quality of life, and leaves them vulnerable to tragedy.”

Horwath said it’s no surprise that she and her party have a vision for a long-term care system that is community-based, public and not-for-profit — a vision that will drive much of the discussion Thursday.

"I envision a system where every dollar goes into care and quality of life, not profit margins. Where health care workers are paid a living wage, with benefits and a pension that reflect their worth, so they can take time to interact with residents and deliver excellent care," she said. "I envision a system where smaller homes rooted in close-knit, culturally sensitive and engaged communities are available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.”

Dr. Amina Jabbar, a geriatrician and health policy expert, will help Horwath kick the summit off with a fireside chat, where the pair will discuss problems and solutions in long-term care and home care.

Horwath also noted that some major changes don’t have to wait.

“We know long-term care homes are horribly understaffed, and front-line workers like personal support workers are underpaid,” said Horwath. “We are urging this government to take urgent action right now to staff up, get PSWs into full-time jobs with benefits, invest in nutrition, and do more comprehensive inspections. The Ford government could start that all tomorrow, making life better and safer for seniors right now.”

The NDP has also been calling for a find-and-fix public judicial inquiry into long-term care, saying that can play a role as a catalyst for the overhaul that Ontario's long-term care sector so desperately needs.

The summit will be held entirely online, with almost 700 registered participants joining plenary and breakout sessions from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on July 2.