Bill 37 falls short on addressing long-standing issues in LTC

In November 2021, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun presented virtually to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly regarding Bill 37, Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021. Long-term care (LTC) homes bore the brunt of the pandemic in its early stages and the tragedies that unfolded were avoidable, Grinspun said. 

Long-standing, systemic issues in the sector – issues that RNAO has raised time and again – were ignored for years pre-pandemic, and those issues in a COVID-19 world have exposed the fragility of the sector and the need for fundamental change to ensure residents’ needs are met in a caring and dignified way.

To ensure all long-term care homes consistently meet the complex needs of residents, Grinspun outlined some key recommendations, which are at the heart of RNAO’s Nursing Home Basic Care Guarantee. These include: a guaranteed minimum of four worked hours of direct nursing and personal care per resident, per day; a legislated skill mix of 20 per cent RNs, 25 per cent RPNs and no more than 55 per cent PSWs; one NP and one infection prevention and control RN per 120 residents; and an average of one hour of care per day, per resident from allied health professionals, including dieticians, speech language pathologists and/or occupational therapists.

Bill 37 was not substantively amended by the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly, which means RNAO’s recommendations were not accepted. The bill received royal assent on Dec. 9, 2021. 

RNAO will continue its ongoing advocacy on behalf of residents and nurses who work in LTC.

You can read RNAO’s full submission and recommendations online.