Long-Term Care / Chronic Care

UPDATE: Time To Care Rally Video

Almost a thousand people came out to push Bill 33 over the top and win a regulated minimum care standard of an average of 4-hours hands-on care per day for long-term care (nursing home) residents.  The crowd was joined by France Gélinas, NDP Health Critic and sponsor of the Bill which has already passed 1st […]

UPDATE: TIME TO CARE RALLY – February 27, 2018 at 12 p.m., Queen’s Park

Time to Care Rally So far we have hundreds coming. But we need more than that. This time, every person counts. PLEASE COME OUT TIME TO CARE RALLY February 27, 2018 12 p.m. Queen’s Park GET ON A BUS – THEY ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER ONTARIO Please see the list below. You must reserve […]

BACKGROUNDER: CALL TO ACTION: Take these actions to win improved long-term care in Ontario asap: Pass Bill 33!

It’s Time to Care: Your Support Can Help Us Win Improved Care Standards in Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes Now Not Enough Care As you know, the key issue for residents, families, care workers and advocates in long-term care is that there simply is not enough care. For more than a decade, we have been advocating to […]

RELEASE & REPORT: The Elephant at the Health Ministers’ Meetings: How Will Provinces Cope with $31 Billion Cut

(October 18, 2017) New National Report Outlines the Huge Cost of the Failed Health Accord As Health Ministers from across Canada meet in Edmonton today, Canada’s Health Coalitions released a report showing the recent bilateral health schemes pushed through by the Trudeau government have come at a huge cost.  The report “Health Accord Breakdown: Costs […]

RELEASE: Health Coalition Responds to Wettlaufer Inquiry Announcement

(August 1, 2017) Toronto – The Ontario government appointed Justice Eileen Gillese from the Ontario Court of Appeal to head a Public Inquiry into the murders of eight long-term care residents by Elizabeth Wettlaufer. The Ontario Health Coalition responded by raising concerns about the duration and the narrow mandate of the inquiry, noting that in […]

RELEASE: Inquiry Should Look into All Recent Homicides, Systemic Issues in Long-Term Care: Health Coalition

(June 28, 2017) The Ontario Health Coalition is advocating for the public inquiry that the Ontario government has called as a result of the murders in long-term care homes in Woodstock and London be broad enough to cover the systemic issues that have contributed to a context in Ontario’s long-term care homes in which there […]

RELEASE: Ontario Budget Health Care Investments Do Not Meet Expectations: Hospital Funding Inadequate to Stop Cuts & Meet Community’s Needs

(April 28, 2017) Despite the hype, the Ontario Budget did not provide the relief from a decade of hospital cuts that was hoped. Overall health funding will increase by 3 percent, less than the rest of the public sector. Home and community care funding increases are positive and appear to remain at the same rate […]

RELEASE: Ontario Budget Health Care Investments Do Not Meet Expectations: Hospital Funding Inadequate to Stop Cuts & Meet Community’s Needs

(April 27, 2017) Despite the hype, the Ontario Budget did not provide the relief from a decade of hospital cuts that was hoped. Overall health funding will increase by 3 percent, less than the rest of the public sector. Home and community care funding increases are positive and appear to remain at the same rate […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Pre-Budget Note

(April 26, 2017) In a speech April 13 to the Empire Club, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa reported that in every corner of Ontario he heard from residents, civic leaders and businesses that health care and public hospitals are top priority issues, and he promised significant investments in this year’s budget. These increases will follow […]

RELEASE: Health Care Advocates Dismayed with Ottawa’s Divide and Conquer Tactics: Hopes for a Canadian Health Accord Dashed as Provinces Signs Deal

(March 10, 2017) Toronto/Ottawa/Edmonton: The Ontario, Quebec and Alberta governments, which had initially held out for better, were compelled to sign onto a bilateral health funding deal with Ottawa today. In the federal election, the Trudeau government promised to break with the high-handed approach of the previous Harper government and negotiate a new Health Accord […]

EVENT: Reforming Long-Term Care in the Public Interest Conference

(November 1, 2016) Here are the notes and presentations that were displayed at the conference. Dr. Pat Armstrong Dan Buchanan Ian Johnson Isobel Mackenzie Natalie Mehra  John F. Schnelle Mary Schultz

EVENT: Giant Rocking Chair Tour 2016: Rock-in for Improved Care!

(June 21, 2016) Rocking Chair Tour Update The Ontario Health Coalition’s giant 10-foot tall rocking chair with its message of the urgent need to bring in a 4-hour per day minimum care standard and improve access to long-term care has visited 17 communities (only 2 more to go!) including Prescott, Plantagenet, Orleans, Carleton Place, Almonte, Barry’s […]

ADVISORY: Memorial Draws Attention to Violence in Long-Term Care

(September 30, 2015) Memorial Draws Attention to Violence in Long-Term Care: Health Coalition, Seniors Call for Minimum Care Standards On October 1, seniors, families of long-term care residents, advocates and care workers of all stripes will gather to remember those who have died due to homicide in Ontario’s long-term care homes and to highlight the […]

EVENT: Giant Rocking Chair Tour 2015

(June 3, 2015) “Rock in” Ontario’s Way to Comfort, Safety and Care Come out and show your support as we, make time to care! Join the Ontario Health Coalition, local health coalitions, friends and allies as we tour the province, pushing for improved access to care and improved levels of care in Ontario’s long-term care homes. A giant 10-foot tall rocking chair will […]

RELEASE: Giant Rocking Chair Tour: “Rock-in” for Improved Long-Term Care

(May 21, 2014) The Ontario Health Coalition is working with hundreds of groups to tour the province with a giant 10-foot tall rocking chair. The goal is to raise awareness about levels of care and access to care in Ontario’s long-term care homes.

RELEASE: McGuinty Reneging on Years of Progress in Long-Term Care Homes’ Inspections & Enforcement: Betrays Longstanding Promises to Ontario Seniors

(June 13, 2012) The Ontario Health Coalition expressed its deep frustration at today’s reports quoting Health Minister Deb Matthews who said that Ontario’s long-term care homes will not be subject to annual inspections

REPORT: Protecting the Public Interest in Toronto’s Long-Term Care Homes: A Review of the Evidence on Privatization

(March 26, 2012) Students from the Introduction to Health Policy class at the University of Toronto in partnership with the Ontario Health Coalition reviewed the body of research from across Canada and the United States …

PANEL NOTES: Long Term Care

(November 20, 2011) Professor Hugh Armstrong, Carleton University, speech to OHC Assembly and Conference, November 2011. My assignment is to discuss long-term residential care, and to suggest how it can be better integrated with other health care sectors. Let me start with long-term residential care itself, and more specifically with what are usually called nursing […]

SUBMISSION: OHC’s Response to 2nd Set of Draft Regulations under Bill 140 the Long-Term Care Homes Act

(October 15, 2009) Our analysis and response to the second set of draft regulations put out by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

RESPONSE: Long Term Care: Final Response to Draft Regulations

(June 5, 2009) Updated For those of you who are particularly concerned about long term care homes, please find attached the draft OHC response to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care draft regulations under the new Long Term Care Homes Act.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION: Long Term Care Homes: High Level Briefing and one-day Conference

(March 31, 2009) This March the Ontario Health Coalition and the Alliance of Seniors/Older Canadians Network hosted a conference on regulating Long Term Care Homes to improve care which reviewed the recent history of LTC in Ontario, critical issues, best and worst practices, and prospects for the future.

BRIEFING NOTE & ANALYSIS:Briefing Note and Analysis of Shirlee Sharkey Report

(June 23, 2008) The general approach taken in the report, the evaluation of the evidence, and the recommendations run counter to the core proposals made by the Ontario Health Coalition and many other groups that participated in Shirlee Sharkey’s consultation. Some of the recommendations may actually be less than what currently exists or are certainly […]

REPORT: Violence, Insufficient Care, and Downloading of Heavy Care Patients

(May, 2008) An evaluation of increasing need and inadequate standards in Ontario’s nursing homes.

ANALYSIS & SUBMISSION: Review of Staffing and Care Standards for Long-Term Care Homes

(January 31, 2008) The Ontario Health Coalition has, in consultation with seniors’ groups, nurses’ organizations, physicians, community coalitions, unions, members of residents’ and families’ councils, come to a consensus set of key recommendations regarding quality of life and quality of care in long term care homes. Chief among our concerns is the lack of daily […]

SUBMISSION: OHC Submission to the Minister’s Appointed Facilitator, Shirlee Sharkey

(January 31, 2008) Review of Staffing and Care Standards for Long-Term Care Homes.

BACKGROUNDER: Backgrounder on Long Term Care Facilities Minimum Care Standards

(September 9, 2007) Last week the government made public its plans to appoint a “facilitator” to conduct consultations on a care standard for long term care homes. Among the coalition’s concerns: 1. Another round of consultation is redundant. The government already heard from dozens of participants in every community during cross-province hearings about Bill 140 […]

RELEASE: Coalition Decries McGuinty’s Failure to Fulfill Promise to Improve Care Levels in Nursing Homes

(September 9, 2007) Dalton McGuinty’s government promised a regulated care standard to guarantee adequate levels of care for residents in nursing homes, but has instead announced a review that will delay, if not permanently derail such standards.

Neglect shouldn’t be an option.

(July 3, 2007) Ontario has no regulated staffing level for its publicly- funded long term care homes. Isn’t it time it should? Most provinces and U.S. states have set standards of care for seniors living in publicly-funded long term care homes. While these jurisdictions were adopting and improving these standards, in 1995 former Premier Mike […]

Neglect shouldn’t be an option.

(July 3, 2007) Ontario has no regulated staffing level for its publicly-funded long term care homes. Isn’t it time it should? Most provinces and U.S. states have set standards of care for seniors living in publicly-funded long term care homes. While these jurisdictions were adopting and improving these standards, in 1995 former Premier Mike Harris […]

APPEAL: Long Term Care Minimum Standards Campaign

(May 18, 2007) Join in the Long Term Care Petition Campaign to raise Minimum Care Standards.

Ontario Petition for Minimum Care Standards in Nursing Homes

(May 1, 2007) To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: o Whereas understaffing in Ontario nursing homes is a serious problem resulting in inadequate care for residents and unsafe conditions for staff; o Whereas after the Harris government removed the regulation providing minimum care levels in 1995, hours of care dropped below the previous 2.25 hour/day […]

BRIEFING NOTES: Minimum Care Standards in Long Term Care Facilities Briefing Notes

(January, 2007) Why Is A Minimum Care Standard So Important?

ANALYSIS & SUBMISSION: Letter to Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Regarding Minimum Care Standards

(January 18, 2007) Dear Ken, There are several issues to be addressed in our discussion regarding implementing a minimum care standard in Ontario. The first is a recognition that a care standard should be adopted in principle. The second is the model for such a standard. The third is the reporting and evidence needed to […]

SUBMISSION: Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy Regarding Bill 140: An Act Respecting Long-Term Care Homes

(January 16, 2007) There are 75,282 long term care beds in Ontario. In these homes tens of thousands of vulnerable and dependent adults live, thousands of volunteers help out, and additional tens of thousands of Ontarians work. The new act respecting conditions and standards for these homes will impact millions of Ontarians in intimate and […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Why Protect Public and Not For Profit Long Term Care Facilities?

(January 16, 2007) Why Is Protecting Public and Non-Profit Long Term Care Homes So Important?

SUBMISSION: OHC Submission Regarding Bill 140: An Act Respecting Long-term Care Homes

(January 16, 2007) Presented to the Standing Committee on Social Policy at Queen’s Park.

ADVISORY: Bill 140: Long-term Care Hearings Imminent – Coalitions Respond Across Ontario

(December 12, 2006) The new act covering nursing homes has passed second reading. Bill 140 has been referred to committee to be sent out to hearing across Ontario.

ANALYSIS & SUMMARY: Bill 140 – Ontario’s New Long Term Care Act Preliminary Summary & Comments

(November 25, 2006) Currently there are 49,700 nursing home beds of which about 10,200 are non profit. Currently there are 24,700 homes for the aged and rest homes beds of which 16,700 are public (municipal) and the rest are non profit (8,000). (Total figures: 39,500 for profit, 18,200 non-profit, 16,700 public.) These beds are governed […]

BRIEFING NOTES: Bill 140: Comparison of Long Term Care Act to Our Key Issues

(November 25, 2006) A checklist rating Bill 140 against what is needed in legislation.

ANALYSIS: Bill 140: Ontario’s New Long Term Care Act – Preliminary Summary & Comments

(November 25, 2006) A clause by clause analysis of the draft of the Long Term Care Act as well as a comparison of the Bill with recommendations made by the provincial auditor.

BRIEF: Urgent Issue Brief

(October 3, 2006) OHC comments on Government announcement regarding long term care.

BRIEF: Urgent Issue Brief: Reaction to Government Health Funding Announcement Today

(April 28, 2006) The McGuinty government announced $222.5 million targeted to its five wait times priority areas today.

RELEASE: “Strong First Step”

(May 14, 2004) The Ontario Health Coalition’s Reaction to Ontario’s Nursing Home Announcement.

RELEASE: Nursing Homes & Homecare Campaign

(April 26, 2004) Citing unacceptable care standards groups launch campaign.

BACKGROUNDER: Long Term Care Facilities

(April 2004) Background on nursing homes, municipal and charitable homes.

Ontario’s Nursing Home Crisis

(April 26 – May 1, 2003) A 6-part series by Paul McKay of the Ottawa Citizen.

FACT SHEET: Women and Medicare: Health Care Restructuring and Women’s Access to Medicare

(February 2003) Over the last decade federal and provincial government funding cuts have radically changed the face of our public health care system.

Women and Medicare: Long-term Care and Women

(February 2003) Health restructuring has moved patients out of hospitals into homecare and long-term care.

FACT SHEET: Women and Medicare: Privatization of Medicare and Women

(February 2003) Cost Shifting-the transfer of responsibility of service payment from the government to alternate sources such as
the individual, insurance companies, the sale or rental of good and services, etc.

FACT SHEET: Women and Medicare: Women as Workers in the Healthcare System

(February 2003) Women as workers in the heath care system are constantly facing job restructuring and cuts.

REPORT: Ownership Matters: Lessons from Ontario’s Long Term Care Facilities

(May 27, 2002) A report prepared for the Hospital Employees’ Union of British Columbia by the OHC which examines the effect of the Ontario Tory government’s privatization of Long Term Care on the quality of care and patients.

FACT SHEET: Long Term Care? Community Care? Home Care? Why Should We Care?

(May 2002) A brief summary of the issues.

RELEASE/BACKGROUNDER: Province’s Long Term Care PR Announcements Are an Insult to Seniors

(September 14, 2001) In response to a slew of media announcements this week from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care the Ontario Health Coalition is issuing a policy backgrounder and release …

RELEASE: Seniors are Suffering

(May 29, 2001) The Coalition releases new evidence from cross-province hearings.

UPDATE: Long Term Care

(May 2001) News from around the province.

OHC Guide to the Long Term Care Act

(February/March 2001) An analysis of the Act and what it and “competitive bidding” mean for the LTC sector and privatization.

REPORT: from Long Term Care Forums

(March 2001) In February and March 2001, the Ontario Health Coalition held hearings across Ontario on the government’s proposed changes to Long Term and Home Care in Ontario.

LETTER: to the Minister of Health Regarding Concerns over the Introduction of a New Long Term Care Act

(August 14, 2000) We are writing with respect to your letter to Liberal Health Critic Lyn McLeod advising of your intention to introduce new Long Term Care legislation during the fall session.

UPDATE: Long Term Care

(August 2000) News from around the province.

FACT SHEET: The Emerging Crisis in Chronic Care

(May 2000) The Ontario government has shut down thousands of chronic care hospital beds.

LETTER: to the Minister of Health Regarding the Long Term Care Act

(February 8, 2000) Re: Follow-up to Dec. 3/99 meeting with Anne Dundas, Special Assistant, Long Term Care

FACT SHEET: Hospital Funding

(January 2000) Patient classification has been a key development in hospital funding in Ontario.

FACT SHEET: Patient Classification and Funding in Chronic Care

(January 2000) Patient classification has been a key development in hospital funding in Ontario.

LETTER: to the Ministry of Health

(December 29, 1999) New Long Term Care Act being drafted without public consultation.

RELEASE: Ontario Health Coalition warns Ontarians to get ready for new Long Term Care legislation

(December 7, 1999) The Ontario Health Coalition is today alerting the public to a major policy initiative that will affect all Ontarians and their entitlement to Long Term Care.

LETTER: to Premier Mike Harris

(August 4, 1999) Regulation 386/99 under the Long Term Care Act limits access to homecare.

FACT SHEET: Chronic Care

(May 1999) Chronic care is in for the fight of its life.

FACT SHEET: General Long Term Care

(May 1999) The proposed change puts in a nutshell the philosophy of the Harris government in relation to all kinds of care, here specifically care for seniors.

FACT SHEET: Long Term Care Facilities

(May 1999) Remember the Tory TV ads boasting of $1.2 billion to create 20,000 new long-term beds?

RELEASE: OHC Calls for Full Public Consultation and Release of Crucial Long Term Care document

March 3, 1999) The Ontario Health Coalition is today urging the provincial government to immediately confirm or deny persistent rumours that it plans to fast-track new long-term care regulations without full public consultation.

FACT SHEET: Hospital Fact Sheet #1

(February 1999) The provincial government has cut hospital budgets by $800 million …

FACT SHEET: Chronic Care Policy Issues

(January 1999) Patients requiring Chronic Care are facing some of the worst effects of Harris government and Health Service Restructuring Commission changes.