QUEEN’S PARK — Long-term care homes in north Wellington will receive a share of a provincial fund of up to $270 million to increase staffing levels.
The funding will lead to “more direct care for residents,” according to a press release issued by Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapice on Oct. 7.
A total of $3,255,821 from the fund will go to long-term care homes in Perth-Wellington.
“Make no mistake: this new funding will meaningfully improve care,” Pettapiece said. “For residents to receive more and better care, we need more staff. Local long-term care administrators and staff have told me it’s one of the most critical challenges we face. I am very pleased that our government has heard them.”
The announcement is part of the province’s commitment to ensure long-term care residents receive—on average—four hours of direct care per day by 2024-25. The government will also enact the four hours of care into legislation.
In north Wellington:
– Caressant Care, in Arthur, will receive up to $281,411 this year increase the hours of direct care for residents. By 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,723,596 annually more than current funding;
– Caressant Care, in Harriston, will receive up to $270,725 this year. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,658,136 annually more than current funding;
– Royal Terrace, in Palmerston, will receive up to $238,665 for additional staffing this year. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,461,780 annually more than current funding.
– Strathcona Long Term Care, in Mount Forest, will receive up to $341,965 this year. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $2,094,504 annually more than their current funding.
“We know that more qualified staff means more daily care for residents,” said Rod Phillips, Minister of Long-Term Care.
“Hiring more staff is part of our government’s plan to fix long-term care and to improve the quality of care residents receive and the quality of life they experience.”
Currently, residents receive an average of two hours and 45 minutes of direct care from nurses and personal support workers. The new funding will increase the daily average to three hours, per resident per day by the end of this fiscal year. It also includes $42.8 million to homes to increase care by allied health care professionals (such as physiotherapists and social workers) by 10 percent this year.
The government is investing $4.9 billion over four years to boost direct resident care to an average of four hours daily by increasing care staff by more than 27,000 people. Total annual funding increases to homes will rise to $1.82 billion by 2024-25.
