Some extra long-term care funding has been confirmed for the riding of Perth Wellington.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece announced $3.2 million for 13 long-term care homes in Perth-Wellington. He said the funding is part of the province's announcement of up to $270 million this year so long-term care homes can increase staffing levels, leading to more direct care for residents
“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.
These funds will increase care for residents at:
· Caressant Care, in Arthur, will receive up to $281,411 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,723,596 annually more than their current funding.
· Caressant Care, in Harriston, will receive up to $270,725 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,658,136 annually more than their current funding.
· Caressant Care, in Listowel, will receive up to $149,612 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $916,332 annually more than their current funding.
· Greenwood Court, in Stratford, will receive up to $160,298 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $981,792 annually more than their current funding.
· Hillside Manor, in Stratford, will receive up to $220,852 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,352,700 annually more than their current funding.
· Kingsway Lodge Nursing Home, in St. Marys, will receive up to $206,605 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,265,424 annually more than their current funding.
· Knollcrest Lodge Limited, in Milverton, will receive up to $284,972 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,745,412 annually more than their current funding.
· Mitchell Nursing Home, in Mitchell, will receive up to $142,491 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $872,712 annually more than their current funding.
· Ritz Lutheran Villa, in Mitchell, will receive up to $302,784 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,854,504 annually more than their current funding.
· Royal Terrace, in Palmerston, will receive up to $238,665 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,461,780 annually more than their current funding.
· Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged, in Stratford, will receive up to $441,710 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $2,705,388 annually more than their current funding.
· Strathcona Long Term Care, in Mount Forest, will receive up to $341,965 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $2,094,504 annually more than their current funding.
· Wildwood Care Centre, in St. Marys, will receive up to $213,731 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents. By the year 2024-2025, the home will receive $1,309,056 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.”
The media release reported that currently, residents receive an average of two hours and 45 minutes of direct care from nurses and personal support workers. This 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.