New funding announced to increase prevention and containment efforts in local long-term care homes

By
Sandy Lindsay
-
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson has announced the Ontario government is investing, locally throughout the riding, more than $1.255 million in new funding to increase prevention and containment efforts in local long-term care homes during the second wave of COVID-1
The new funding will reduce the risk of the virus from entering long-term care homes from the community by covering eligible expenses related to:
“Keeping our most vulnerable as safe as possible during this pandemic is paramount,” Thompson said. “That is why this new funding is vitally important.”
Facilities receiving the new funding include:
Facility                                  New funding           Total funding since March 2020
Blue Water Rest Home               $100,800                $550,800
Braemar Retirement Centre        $  71,500                $640,000
Brucelea Haven LTC                   $229,600                $948,200
Exeter Villa                               $  63,500                 $557,100
Huronlea Home                         $  24,800                 $273,400
Huronview Home                       $  82,100                 $409,100
Maitland Manor                         $218,300                 $833,500
Pinecrest Manor                        $  42,000                 $391,400
Queensway LTC                        $160,100                  $509,500
Seaforth LTC                            $  60,700                  $414,300
Southampton Care Centre         $111,200                  $498,400
Fordwich Nursing Home             $  33,600                 $343,800
Trillium Court                            $  57,000                 $487,000
Since the start of the pandemic, the Ontario government has invested $1.38 billion to ensure that our long-term care homes have the resources they need to battle COVID-19.

In addition, MPP Bill Walker Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound announced receiving additional funding during the second wave in homes that include:

  • Country Lane Long Term Care Residence is receiving an additional $52,600, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $364,200
  • Elgin Abbey Nursing Home is receiving an additional $50,500, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $442,800
  • Gateway Haven Long Term Care Home is receiving an additional $145,600, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $444,600
  • Georgian Heights is receiving an additional $35,000, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $355,000
  • Golden Dawn Nursing Home is receiving an additional $60,000 bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $531,200
  • Grey Gables Home for the Aged is receiving an additional $178,600, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $432,800
  • Hanover Care Centre is receiving an additional $35,400, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $358,200
  • Lee Manor Home is receiving an additional $394,900, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $765,300
  • Maple View is receiving an additional $146,000, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $578,600
  • Meaford Long Term Care is receiving an additional $267,800, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $639,600
  • Parkview Manor Health Care Centre is receiving an additional $67,800, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $500,600
  • Rockwood Terrace Home for the Aged is receiving an additional $182,500, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $554,300
  • Summit Place is receiving an additional $46,000, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $443,000
  • The Village Seniors Community is receiving an additional $149,900, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $511,900.

The new funding will reduce the risk of the virus from entering long-term care homes from the community by covering eligible expenses related to:

  • An immediate 24/7 health checkpoint to confirm staff and essential caregivers entering the building are properly screened for COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure, and to continue screening residents on an ongoing basis to support early detection and containment of any new infections.
  • Additional prevention and containment activities, such as hiring new staff to carry-out the added workload for essential services and/or to replace workers who are sick or in isolation
  • Cleaning, equipment, and operating supplies beyond typical levels for the home
  • Implementing infection control measures based on clinical evidence, advice from a physician or other regulated health practitioners with expertise in infection control.

“We will continue to do everything we can to help stop the spread of this virus and protect our most vulnerable and the staff who have been working tirelessly to keep them safe,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care. “From the start of the pandemic, we have taken quick and decisive action to make sure that homes have access to the resources they need to care for our loved ones.”

Once an outbreak is declared in a home, the province continues to work alongside local public health units, hospital partners, the local health integration networks and all health sector partners to help stabilize the situation and return the home to normal operations.
To address long-standing staffing challenges, the government has launched one of the largest recruitment and training drives in the province’s history, to deliver on its commitment to provide an average of four hours of daily direct care for residents. This will make Ontario the Canadian leader in the provision of care.
To implement its staffing plan, Ontario is increasing annual investments, culminating in $1.9 billion contributed annually by 2024-25, to create more than 27,000 new positions for personal support workers, registered nurses and registered practical nurses in long-term care.

During the second wave, the province has enhanced testing requirements for long-term care homes, and deployed rapid tests through a proof-of-concept program, recognizing the importance of identifying a case of the virus before it can spread from the community into a long-term care home.

The province’s vaccine strategy prioritizes the most vulnerable populations first, including health care workers and residents of long-term care homes, who are at higher risk of contracting the virus. The government has committed that the residents and staff in all long-term care homes in Ontario will be vaccinated by February 15, 2021 if they want to be vaccinated.

To address urgent staffing challenges in long-term care homes, hospitals have deployed rapid response teams of health care professionals. Additionally, the Ontario Workforce Reserve for Senior Support program is recruiting Resident Support Aides. The province has also put in place a Personal Support Worker Return of Service program and is fast tracking Personal Support Worker education and providing supports for new nursing graduates. Community paramedics have also assisted in homes, providing care and help with testing.

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