Provincial funding to help increase staffing at local long-term care homes

Nine Bay of Quinte long-term care hmes will share $3.209,499 in provincial funding to increase staffing levels – up to $790,796 of which will land at four Prince Edward County homes.

Bay of Quinte, local MPP Todd Smith was at Hastings Manor in Belleville to share the news, following an announcement from Minister of Long-Term Care Rod Phillips earlier today that detailed the additional investment required to reach a standard of three hours of daily direct care by March 2022, and four hours by 2025.

The province’s annual investment in base funding will rise in each of the next four years – by $270 million in 2021-2022, $673 million in 2022-2023, $1.25 billion in 2023-2024 and $1.82 billion in 2024-2025.

“These investments will ensure that residents receive additional time and attention to their individual care needs,” said Smith. “They also provide stable funding for long-term care operators to hire trained staff to provide high-quality care and provide additional good-paying jobs within our community.”

For a typical 160-bed home, Smith said there would be an increase of approximately $1.2 million this year, escalating to $3.2 million in 2024-2025. At that time, it would represent the equivalent of six additional registered nurses, 12 registered practical nurses, and 25 personal support workers.

Minister Phillips indicated that as part of the government’s plan to hire 27,000 new staff members over the next four years and enhance daily care standards, the province will bring forward legislation to enshrine the commitment to four hours in law, and introduce auditing to ensure funds are used for frontline care, such as feeding, bathing and dressing, movement, therapeutic treatment and medication. At present, residents receive an average of two hours and 45 minutes.

“We know that more qualified staff means more daily care for residents,” he said. “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.”

This year’s increased investment also includes $42.8 million to homes to increase care by allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, social workers, and dietitians), an increase of 10 per cent. In addition, the province has announced a $10-million annual fund to support ongoing professional development opportunities in long-term care.

The government is also working with Ontario colleges and universities to meet the staffing needs.

Representatives of local municipalities operating long-term care homes welcomed the news.

Steve Ferguson, Mayor of Prince Edward County, which operates H.J. McFarland Memorial Home spoke to the municipality’s high number of senior population.

“The news that more staff will be available at long term care homes – if they need it – is very welcome news. I want to commend the ministry and the province for understanding the needs of LTC facilities and taking the steps necessary to meet those needs to ensure that residents are cared for in the best possible way, and provided with all the services and amenities they require.”

• H.J. McFarland Home for the Aged, in Picton, will receive up to $299,219 for additional staff this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025,the home will receive $1,832,688 annually more than their current funding.
• Versa Care Hallowell House, in Picton, will receive up to $252,912 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,549,056 annually more than their current funding.
• Kentwood Park, in Picton, will receive up to $121,113 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025 the home will receive $741,804 annually more than their current funding.
• West Lake Terrace, in Picton, will receive up to $117,552 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive$719,976 annually more than their current funding.

• Hastings Manor, in Bellville, will receive up to $901,227 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $5,519,868 annually more than their current funding.
• Westgate Lodge Nursing Home, in Belleville, will receive up to $263,599 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive$1,614,516 annually more than their current funding.
• Trent Valley Lodge Nursing Home, in Trenton, will receive up to $363,338 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $2,225,400annually more than their current funding.
• Crown Ridge Place, in Trenton, will receive up to $434,584 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive$2,661,756annually more than their current funding.
• Belmont Nursing Home, in Belleville, will receive up to $455,957 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $2,792,664 annually more than their current funding.