OHC in the News

HEALTH COALITION SUPPORTS INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LONG TERM CARE COMMISSION: CALLS ON FORD GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT IMMEDIATELY

(October 26, 2020) By: iHeart Radio – Newstalk 610 CKTB Matt Holmes Speaks with Natalie Mehra – Executive Director Ontario Health Coalition regarding the state of long term care homes during wave 2 of COVID-19. Listen to audio here Click here for original article

Recommendations from long-term care commission echo calls from lobby groups

(October 25, 2020) By: Allan Benner, St. Catharines Standard Many of the recommendations released Friday by the province’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission sound very familiar, local advocacy groups say. Among recommendations included in an interim report, the commission is calling for a minimum of four hours of daily care for each resident of long-term care […]

LEVY: LTC Commission gives life-saving advice for COVID’s second wave

(October 24, 2020) By: Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun Concerned the second wave of COVID-19 is underway in Ontario, the Long-Term Care Commission issued a five-page preliminary report Friday that will hopefully help to avoid mistakes that led to more than 1,800 deaths in the province’s LTC homes during the first wave. Besides wage enhancements for […]

Life-saving advice for LTCs; Commission’s early report insightful

(October 24, 2020) By: Sue-Annlevy, Toronto Sun (Print Edition) Concerned the second wave of COVID-19 is underway in Ontario, the Long-Term Care Commission issued a five-page preliminary report Friday that will hopefully help to avoid mistakes that led to more than 1,800 deaths in the province’s LTC homes during the first wave. Besides wage enhancements […]

Mourning families fear legal rights are ‘being extinguished’

(October 23, 2020) By: Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun (Print Edition) The executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition worries the truth will never get out about poor-performing long-term care homes after the province introduced a new COVID-19 liability law this week. Natalie Mehra told the Toronto Sun her phone has been ringing off the hook […]

Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day

(October 23, 2020) By: Sudbury.com Staff (Shutterstock) Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to get you started on this rainy Friday morning. Heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in low-lying areas, Conservation Sudbury warns Conservation Sudbury has issued a water safety statement for all parts of the Greater Sudbury watersheds as of […]

Long-term care accountability weaker from Bill 218: OHC, local long-term care coalition

(October 22, 2020) By: Roderick Benns, The Lindsay Advocate The Ford government has introduced legislation that would make it significantly harder for residents and families to hold long-term care homes liable for harm resulting from exposure to COVID-19, says the Ontario Health Coalition, a position echoed by a local group advocating for better long-term care. […]

Ontario seniors’ advocates concerned over liability protection in long-term care

(October 22, 2020) By: Veronica Appia, GuelphMercuryTribune.com Ontario seniors’ advocates are expressing concerns about protecting the legal rights of those who have been harmed, due to exposure to COVID-19, in long-term-care homes since March. On Oct. 20, the Ontario government introduced new legislation called Bill 218: Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, which will “provide liability protection […]

Will LTC homes never be held to account for COVID deaths?

(October 22, 2020) By: Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun COVID-19-Diane Colangelo visits her 86-year-old mother Patricia through a window at the Orchard Villa long-term care home in Pickering on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Patricia tested postivive for coronavirus days later and died on May 7, 2020. PHOTO BY VERONICA HENRI /TORONTO SUN FILES The executive director […]

ONTARIO: New liability law would not protect negligent long-term care providers, Ford says

(October 22, 2020) By: GuelphToday.com Stock image TORONTO — New COVID-19 liability legislation would not protect long-term care providers from being sued, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday, as he urged families to pursue legal action if they believe a loved one died in a seniors home due to negligence. Ford said he initially shared the […]

New law proposes legal protection for long-term care homes in Ontario

(October 22, 2020) By: Sudbury.com Staff (Stock) New legislation tabled by the Ford government at Queen’s Park this week will make it harder for Ontario residents to take legal action against long-term care homes or hold them liable for harm as a result of being exposed to COVID-19, according to the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC). The […]

Law firm will proceed with legal action against long-term care homes after COVID-19 deaths

(October 22, 2020) By: Allan Benner, St. Catharines Standard New provincial legislation that may protect long-term care homes from COVID-19 related lawsuits won’t stop an Oakville-based law firm from pursuing nine actions it has filed so far, including a class-action lawsuit filed against the owners of Lundy Manor in Niagara Falls. But the legislation introduced […]

Ford: Bill would not protect negligent LTC providers; Critics say law could make lawsuits difficult

(October 22, 2020) By: Shawn Jeffords, North Bay Nugget TORONTO New COVID-19 liability legislation would not protect long-term care providers from being sued, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday, as he urged families to pursue legal action if they believe a loved one died in a seniors home due to negligence. Ford said he initially shared […]

Families fear bill could let LTC duck liability

(October 22, 2020) By: Antonella Artuso, Ottawa Sun TORONTO – Reckless nursing homes can still be held legally accountable for COVID-19 infections, Premier Doug Ford insists. “They can continue to sue them,” Ford said Wednesday. “This does not protect them 100% by any means.” His government introduced a bill Tuesday that would provide wide protection […]

Ford defends bill that critics say shields long-term care homes from lawsuits

(October 21, 2020) By: Codi Wilson, CTV News TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford says families outraged by negligence on the part of long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic will still be able to hold the operators of those homes accountable despite new provincial legislation that critics say makes it more difficult for loved ones […]

New liability law would not protect negligent long-term care providers: Ford

(October 21, 2020) By: Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian Press TORONTO – New COVID-19 liability legislation would not protect long-term care providers from being sued, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday, as he urged families to pursue legal action if they believe a loved one died in a seniors home due to negligence. Ford said he initially […]

Critics say Ford’s new long-term care legislation makes it harder to sue the facilities

(October 21, 2020) By: Clarrie Feinstein, Daily Hive Toronto Doug Ford / CPAC Premier Doug Ford’s new legislation that aims to provide liability protection for workers and organizations that follow COVID-19 health guidelines, is facing backlash. On Tuesday, the Ontario government introduced the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, 2020, that if passed, will provide liability protection for workers, […]

‘Unacceptable’: Union claims management didn’t do enough to prevent second outbreak at Simcoe Manor in Beeton

(October 21, 2020) By: Brad Pritchard, Simcoe County (Metroland Media Group) The union that represents healthcare workers at Simcoe Manor in Beeton is accusing management of not doing enough to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak at the facility that has led to nearly 70 infections and nine deaths since it began on Oct. 2. Sharlene Stewart, […]

LTC families upset over liability bill: OHC

(October 21, 2020) By: Antonella Artuso, Brantford Expositor With Ontario seeing 783 COVID-19 cases Thursday, Premier Doug Ford encouraged residents to use the COVID-Alert app to help arm the province and users with better tracking measures. POSTMEDIA Reckless nursing homes can still be held legally accountable for COVID-19 infections, Premier Doug Ford insists. “They can […]

Ontario seniors’ advocates concerned over liability protection in long-term care

(October 21, 2020) By: Veronica Appia, GuelphMercuryTribune.com Ontario seniors’ advocates are expressing concerns about protecting the legal rights of those who have been harmed, due to exposure to COVID-19, in long-term-care homes since March. On Oct. 20, the Ontario government introduced new legislation called Bill 218: Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, which will “provide liability protection for […]

COVID-19 cases have been quietly mounting up and killing in long-term-care homes: These 3 charts explain what many seem to have missed

(October 21, 2020) By: Kenyon Wallace, GuelphMercuryTribune.com The number of active cases of COVID-19 among residents of Ontario long-term-care homes is growing at an average rate of about eight per cent per day, prompting seniors advocates to call for measures to prevent a full-blown second wave of infections from sweeping through facilities. There were 216 active resident […]

Ontario LTC homes may be forced to close due to insurance issues

(October 20, 2020) By: Global News Long-term care homes in Ontario are being offered new insurance policies but they don’t include coverage for infectious disease outbreaks, including COVID-19. As Morganne Campbell reports, the Ontario Long Term Care Association is lobbying the federal government for a bailout. Watch video here Click here for original article

Today’s coronavirus news: York Region imposes modified Stage 2 restrictions; Ontario reports 712 cases; Canada’s count climbed by an average of 2,300 cases per day over the past seven days

(October 16, 2020) By: News Staff, Toronto Star 4:27 p.m. There have been 193,622 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada, including 9,721 deaths, while 163,260 cases have been resolved, according to The Canadian Press. This breaks down as follows (NOTE: The Star does its own count for Ontario; see elsewhere this file.): Quebec: 91,018 confirmed (including […]

It’s April all over again. A look at the numbers shows Ontario could be on the brink of another long-term-care catastrophe

(October 16, 2020) By: Kenyon Wallace, Toronto Star Seniors’ advocates and health professionals warn we may be on the cusp of yet another long-term care disaster as COVID-19 cases in Ontario homes revolve around similar numbers seen in early April – just two weeks before a massive spike in infections claimed hundreds of lives. installations. […]

Oakville protesters demand more help for long term care homes as Ontario enters second COVID wave

(October 15, 2020) By: David Lea, Oakville Beaver Ontario’s long-term care homes need more staff who have the tools they need to keep COVID-19 out. These were among the demands made during a protest outside Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford’s office on Thursday, Oct. 8. The protest was part of a day of action organized by […]

‘He was pretty much left to die’: Ongoing shortage of staff at care homes has loved ones across Peel worried

(October 14, 2020) By: Nida Zafar, The Pointer In the parking lot of a densely packed plaza that includes a Service Canada office, a couple small food establishments and a cluster of medical offices, a small group of people gather near the entrance of 10 Gillingham Drive in Brampton. The bursts of cold air cutting […]

‘The system is completely broken,’ Horwath on long-term care

(October 13, 2020) By: Ryan Forbes, Kenora Online Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says if she’s elected Premier, her party will transform the look of long-term care homes across the province. In a virtual media conference, Horwath was joined by Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa and guest speaker Estelle Cantera, who told her family’s story of […]

LEVY: LTC homes not ready for second wave, say advocates

(October 12, 2020) By: Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun Simon Nisbet and mom Doreen in better times. PHOTO BY SUBMITTED PHOTO Simon Nisbet has much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day. His mom Doreen is alive and doing well at 89 because he pulled her out of Orchard Villa and got her into hospital before […]

COVID-19 : doit-on passer à une approche plus punitive?

(October 10, 2020) By: Francis Beaudry, Radio Canada La deuxième vague de la pandémie frappe Toronto, est-ce que l’approche centrée sur l’éducation des autorités sanitaires de la Ville Reine a porté fruit? Depuis le début des restrictions mises en place par Toronto en mars, la politique éducative de la santé publique est reflétée dans sa […]

WITH VIDEO: ‘We need to put the pressure on’: Fight continues for long-term care changes with Almonte day of action

(October 10, 2020) By: Ashley Kulp, Carleton Place Almonte Canadian Gazette Karen Thompson remembers her mom Mae Wilson as a “crazy character.” She lost her 93-year-old mom on Mother’s Day. Wilson was one of 29 Almonte Country Haven (ACH) residents who died from COVID-19 during the long-term care home’s outbreak this past spring. “She was a […]

‘They are afraid’: Worker says staff fear showing up at West End Villa long-term care home

(October 9, 2020) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen With 47 cases of COVID-19 among staff there, many people have been afraid to show up for work at Ottawa’s West End Villa, creating staff shortages, a worker from the Ottawa long-term care home claimed Thursday. “They are afraid they are going to spread it to their […]

Rally Calls For Long Term Care Help

(October 9, 2020) By: News Staff, 99.1FM CKXS Health care advocates are calling on the provincial government to do more to protect residents in long term care. A small rally was held in front of MPP Rick Nicholls’ Chatham constituency office yesterday with a motorcade of vehicles circling by the Heritage Road building, honking their […]

Long-term care residents still vulnerable as second wave of pandemic begins

(October 9, 2020) By: Joanne Shuttleworth, The Wellington Advertiser GUELPH – A second wave of COVID-19 is brewing, and residents and staff at long-term care homes, who bore the brunt of the virus in the first wave, are still vulnerable. That is why the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) put out an urgent call for the […]

‘For my husband’: York Region woman shares story of husband’s decline in long-term care

(October 9, 2020) By: Kim Champion, newmarkettoday.ca With a small sign in her hand that said, ‘For my husband’, an emotional Margaret Calver yesterday told a small group of protesters at the Save our Seniors: Fix LTC! event in Newmarket that she is heartbroken about her husband’s decline in a long-term care facility during the […]

Peel Health Coalition takes part in provincewide protests over long-term care conditions

(October 9, 2020) By: Marta Marychuk, Caledon Enterprise The Peel Health Coalition was one of 24 chapters of the Ontario Health Coalition that took part in a day of action on Thursday, Oct. 8, to protest conditions in long-term care homes. Rosemary Keenan, a member of Peel Health Coalition that gathered outside the office of […]

‘We want long-term care fixed now’

(October 9, 2020) By: Colleen Romaniuk, Sudbury Star The Ontario Health Coalition held a province-wide Day of Action on Thursday calling the Ford government to take immediate steps to improve conditions in long-term care facilities. Participants, including members of the Sudbury Health Coalition, health-care workers, family members with relatives in long-term care, and local MPPs, […]

Staff shortages up COVID concerns in long-term care; Ontario Health Coalition rally shines light on staffing concerns

(October 9, 2020) By: Ellwood Shreve, Chatham Daily News Chatham-Kent has, so far, avoided a COVID-19 outbreak at any of its long-term care homes but, due to staff shortages and burnout, a health-care advocate and union official fear the result if it does happen. “Although there have not been any COVID-19 outbreaks, the bad conditions […]

Long-term care needs care now: Protesters; Day of Action urges government to boost support

(October 9, 2020) By: Elaine Della-Mattia, Sault Star Health-care advocates and union leaders staged an Ontario-wide protest Thursday urging the provincial government to take immediate action to address the staffing crisis in long-term care homes and implement a minimum of four hours of hands-on care for residents. In Sault Ste. Marie, the protest and accompanying […]

Need for PSWs, long-term care home workers immediate – OHC

(October 9, 2020) By: PJ Wilson, Timmins Daily Press Ontario needs to hire between 10,000 and 15,000 workers in long-term care homes “right now,” according to Liberal health critic John Fraser. Speaking in a Zoom news conference Thursday, Fraser said in one extreme case from Ottawa, a longterm care worker is looking after 30 senior […]

Day of action for long-term care includes rally in Hamilton’s Gore Park

(October 8, 2020) By: Ken Mann, Global News CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn speaks to supporters during a rally in Hamilton’s Gore Park. Lisa Polewski/Global News A union that represents staff in long-term care homes has participated in a “day of action.” CUPE Ontario is stepping up its call for better pay for personal support […]

ONTARIO HEALTH COALITION RALLIES HIT WINDSOR CALLING FOR NEW STANDARDS IN LONG-TERM CARE HOMES

(October 8, 2020) By: Ricardo Veneza, CTV News Windsor Union members, health professionals and other activists joined in an Ontario Health Coalition rally outside of the Heron Terrace long-term care home in Windsor, Ont., on Thursday, October 8, 2020. (Ricardo Veneza/CTV Windsor). Rallies across Ontario, including in Windsor and Chatham, are calling for the Ford […]

Need for PSWs, long-term care home workers immediate — OHC

(October 8, 2020) By: PJ Wilson, North Bay Nugget Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition. POSTMEDIA Ontario needs to hire between 10,000 and 15,000 workers in long-term care homes “right now,” according to Liberal health critic John Fraser. Speaking in a Zoom news conference Thursday, Fraser said in one extreme case from Ottawa, […]

Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition calls for better staffing levels in long-term care

(October 8, 2020) By: William McGinn, The Lindsay Advocate Joining their provincial and national counterparts to demand action on the state of long-term care, the Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition (KLHC) said staffing levels must improve. The KLHC joined the Ontario Health Coalition in a “Day of Action” for long-term care across Canada, and demanded the […]

Staff shortages heighten concern if COVID outbreak hits C-K long-term care homes

(October 8, 2020) By: Ellwood Shreve, Chatham Daily News Chatham-Kent has, so far, avoided a COVID-19 outbreak at any of its long-term care homes but, due to staff shortages and burnout, a health-care advocate and union official fear the result if it does happen. “Although there have not been any COVID-19 outbreaks, the bad conditions […]

Ontario October 8 Day of Action on Long-Term Care: All Out to Uphold the Rights of Seniors and Their Caregivers

(October 8, 2020) By: Steve Rutchinski, cpcml.ca The Ontario Day of Action on Long-Term Care (LTC) organized by the Ontario Health Coalition, frontline care and senior advocacy organizations is being held on Thursday, October 8 to demand improved care in LTC facilities and an end to for-profit privatized LTC. Nineteen cities have now announced a […]

‘We want long-term care fixed now’

(October 8, 2020) By: Colleen Romaniuk, The Sudbury Star The Ontario Health Coalition held a province-wide Day of Action on Thursday calling the Ford government to take immediate steps to improve conditions in long-term care facilities. Participants, including members of the Sudbury Health Coalition, health-care workers, family members with relatives in long-term care, and local […]

Day of action for long-term care includes rally in Hamilton’s Gore Park

(October 8, 2020) By: Ken Mann, Global News A union that represents staff in long-term care homes has participated in a “day of action.” CUPE Ontario is stepping up its call for better pay for personal support workers, increased staffing in long-term care homes and an end to the privatization of long-term care beds. Union […]

Health Coalition Calling For Action

(October 8, 2020) By: News Staff, 99.1FM CKXS Rallies are being held across the province today as the Ontario Health Coalition calls for on the government to address staffing issues in long term care homes. The group demands the Ford government recruit and train more staff and provide a minimum daily standard of four hours of hands-on […]

PHOTOS: Day of Action demonstration for long-term care

(October 8, 2020) By: Dax Melmer, Windsor Star Participants in the Ontario Health Coalition’s Day of Action on Long-Term Care rallied outside Heron Terrace in Tecumseh on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. The demonstration was held in part to call for action by the Ford government to recruit and train more staff and improve pay and […]

HEALTH COALITIONS ACROSS THE PROVINCE FIGHT FOR LONG-TERM CARE HOMES

(October 8, 2020) By: Rob Hindi, AM800 CKLW The co-chair of the Windsor Health Coalition believes the province can do better. Speaking on AM800’s The Dan MacDonald Show, Tracey Ramsey says the province needs to look at staffing levels immediately at long-term care facilities across the province. “We’re calling for immediate action by the Ford […]

TODAY IS DAY OF ACTION ON LONG TERM CARE

(October 8, 2020) By: Tami Jeanneret, 610 CKTB News Today members of the Ontario Health Coalition will demonstrate across the province in ” A Day of Action on Long Term Care.” The Coalition points out over 1,900 residents and staff have died from COVID-19 in long term care homes in Ontario. It says the funding […]

DAN MACDONALD SHOW – ONTARIO HEALTH COALITION CALLS FOR DAY OF ACTION FOR LONG-TERM CARE WORKERS’ CONCERNS

(October 8, 2020) By: Dan MacDonald, AM800 CKLW Interview with Tracey Ramsey, co-chair of the Windsor Health Coalition Click here for original interview

‘It’s policy versus people’: Guelph groups call on province to ban private long-term care homes

(October 8, 2020) By: Jonathan Duncan, The Guelph Mercury Tribune A group of around 12 people gathered in downtown Guelph on Thursday, demanding better services for long-term care residents, and deprivatization of health care. It was part of a planned series of protest and rallies across the province, organized by the Ontario Health Coalition. With […]

Rallies calling on Ford to make changes to long-term care now (4 photos)

(October 8, 2020) By: Doug Diaczuk, Thunder Bay News THUNDER BAY – For years health coalitions, unions, and personal support workers have been calling on the provincial government to address issues in long-term care, and with the COVID-19 pandemic claiming nearly 2,000 lives, those calls continue to get louder. “We are here today to join […]

Ontario is failing long-term care residents on COVID and care, protesters say

(October 8, 2020) By: Len Gillis, sudbury.com Despite some pay raises and promises that things are getting better in long-term care (LTC) homes, there is still a concern the Ontario Government is not doing anywhere near enough to solve the issues of staffing shortages and providing enough hands-on care for patients and it become especially […]

Personal support workers concerned about staffing and impact of second wave of COVID-19

(October 8, 2020) By: News Staff, CHCH News Personal support workers and the Ontario Health Coalition are sounding the alarm on what they call a crisis in long-term care homes. Rallies across the province today were meant as a warning to the provincial government, participants saying, if things don’t change, this wave could be more […]

Workers, families hold protest for long-term care changes

(October 8, 2020) By: Julie Ireton, CBC News Workers, unions and families gathered in Almonte, Ont., Thursday to call for immediate action by the Ford government to recruit staff and to improve working conditions in Ontario’s long-term care homes. Amy Ayers, a personal support worker at Almonte Country Haven who helped organize the day of action, has been at […]

CUPE Ontario and Ontario Health Coalition rally at Gore Park in support of long-term care workers

(October 8, 2020) By: John Rennison, The Hamilton Spectator CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn calls on the provincial government to fix long-term care during a rally Thursday morning (Oct. 8) in Gore Park. The rally by the CUPE Ontario and Ontario Health Coalition in Hamilton called on the government to improve wages for workers, hire […]

Ontario Health Coalition calls for overhaul of long term care (4 photos)

(October 8, 2020) By: Kenneth Armstrong, guelphtoday.com Advocacy groups and unions representing the health care sector are calling on the provincial government do much more when it comes to protecting people living in long term care, as well demanding a halt to creeping privatization of health care in Ontario. On Thursday morning the Ontario Health […]

Are long-term-care homes ready for COVID-19’s second wave? City-owned homes say they are, but others aren’t so sure

(October 8, 2020) By: Francine Kopun, St. Catharines Standard Toronto’s 10 long-term-care homes are better prepared to make it through a resurgence of COVID–19 than they were during the first wave, when all 10 suffered outbreaks, says the person in charge of the city-run facilities. “In truth, we were preparing for the second wave in June,” said […]

Workers urge more funding, protection for long-term care residents

(October 8, 2020) By: Matthew Barker, The Peterborough Examiner The Peterborough Health Coalition held a rally outside of Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith’s office on Thursday, calling for more funding for long-term care homes in the area and more protection for residents. “As we all know the impact of this COVID-19 pandemic is being heavily felt in […]

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 8

(October 8, 2020) By: CBC News, Yahoo News What’s the latest? Ottawa has 182 more confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the province, surpassing the previous daily record of 142. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) will release its more detailed report early this afternoon. OPH is using another real-world example of what can happen when people don’t follow public health […]

Families, health coalition demand action on long-term care

(October 8, 2020) By: CBC News Betty Yakimenko says her mom, Elsie Stadler, must be made of Teflon, because the Madonna Care Community resident has been tested eight times for COVID-19, and each time the result has come back negative. Now, Stadler is preparing for test number nine, and Yakimenko hopes her mother can cheat the virus, which has […]

How long-term care homes could have better prepared for a second wave

(October 7, 2020) By: Robyn Bresnahan, CBC Radio Long-term care homes in Ottawa are seeing some of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the province. An advocate with the Ontario Health Coalition says the government needs to do more to address staffing shortages and testing delays. Click on “Ottawa Morning with Robyn Bresnahan – Oct. 7, […]

ONTARIO HEALTH COALITION CALLS FOR DAY OF ACTION FOR LONG-TERM CARE WORKERS’ CONCERNS

(October 7, 2020) By: Lindsay Charlton, CTV News Windsor The Ontario Health Coalition is calling for a Day of Action across the province to address staffing issues, and a lack of full-time work in long-term care facilities. Press conferences with public health guidelines in place and motorcades will be taking place at the Ontario Legislature […]

Outbreaks hit Ottawa’s long-term care homes, despite 1st wave lessons

(October 7, 2020) By: Julie Ireton, CBC News An Ottawa paramedic arrives at the Laurier Manor in Ottawa on April 26. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press) Families, workers and health-care advocates are wondering how outbreaks in Ottawa’s long-term care homes continue to grow, despite the lessons learned during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ve been really shocked […]

CBC Ottawa News October 07, 2020

(October 7, 2020) By: CBC Ottawa CBC interview with Ottawa Health Coalition’s Kevin Skerett starts at the 32:36 mark and lasts for about six minutes. Analysis Click here for original article

LETTER: privatizing essential public health care unlawful, says health coalition chair

(October 7, 2020) By: GuelphToday Staff, GuelphToday The Ontario Health Coalition is having a province-wide press conference and motorcade on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the corner of Oxford and Liverpool streets in Guelph at 11 a.m. close to Norfolk Manor Retirement Home to persuade our policymakers that privatizing essential health services is against the law. […]

Day of Action on long-term care set for Thursday

(October 7, 2020) By: Mark Brown, BlackburnNews The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on the provincial government to act on staffing issues in long-term care facilities. To ensure its concerns will be heard at Queens Park, the coalition will sponsor a Day of Action on Thursday, complete with vehicle parades and media conferences scheduled at […]

Health protest Thursday; Local briefs

(October 6, 2020) By: Sudbury Star (Print Edition) A health coalition is planning a series of protests – including one in Sudbury – to press for better care in Ontario’s longterm care homes. The Ontario Health Coalition said the Ford government needs to hire more staff, implement a minimum of four hours of hands-on care […]

Ontario Health Coalition To Join In On Province-Wide Day Of Action

(October 6, 2020) By: Heart FM The OHC will be going to multiple communities in Oxford County on Thursday, including Woodstock, to private long-term care homes. It is to draw attention to the fact that private long-term care homes do not do a good enough job taking care of seniors. OXFORD COUNTY – The Ontario […]

Save Our Seniors: Fix LTC! rally comes to Newmarket

(October 6, 2020) By: Kim Champion, New Market Today Newmarket and Aurora’s pan-partisan protest group Common Ground Coalition will join the Ontario Health Coalition’s day of action on Thursday, Oct. 8 to demand the Ford government act immediately to address challenges within the province’s long-term care facilities. Common Ground spokesperson Jon Aston said the coalition […]

Thursday rally at Oosterhoff’s office focused on long-term care

(October 6, 2020) By: Allan Benner, The Standard As COVID-19 outbreaks again increase at long-term care homes in Niagara and across the province, advocacy groups are renewing lobbying efforts for systemic changes they feel are needed to protect the residents of those facilities. Despite past outbreaks that claimed the lives of about 1,900 people across […]

Protests planned in Sudbury and across Ontario to call for increased staffing in LTC homes

(October 5, 2020) By: Sudbury.com NOTE: This story amended to include proper timing of event at 11 a.m. Thursday. Apologies for initial error- Len Gillis A province-wide protest is being planned for this Thursday in Sudbury and in communities across Ontario, calling on the province to resolve the staffing crisis in long-term care homes. The […]

London Health Coalition says government using pandemic to privitize healthcare in Ontario

(October 5, 2020) By: 980 CFPL The London Health Coalition is calling on the provincial government to change its approach to the spread of COVID-19, alleging the government is using the pandemic to privatize health care. Peter Bergmanis from the London Health Coalition joins Devon Peacock on the Morning Show to discuss. Click here for […]

Long-term care protest in Sudbury, across Ontario on Thursday

(October 4, 2020) By: Woodstock Sentinel Review A health coalition is planning a series of protests — including one in Sudbury — to press for better care in Ontario’s long-term care homes. The Ontario Health Coalition said the Ford government needs to hire more staff, implement a minimum of four hours of hands-on care for […]

Premiers Should Not Play Partisan Politics with Health Care; Concrete Commitments Needed From Provincial & Federal Governments

(October 1, 2020) By: Exchange Magazine Health Coalitions across Canada were pleased with Throne Speech promises to expand public health care to create a universal comprehensive public pharmacare program and to set national standards for long-term care. However, concrete commitments are conspicuously absent. As reported in the speech, more than 9,000 Canadians have died in […]

More than 15,000 surgeries postponed in eastern Ontario, Outaouais due to pandemic

(October 1, 2020) By: CBC News Staff, CBC News Hospitals in eastern Ontario and Outaouais are dealing with a lengthy backlog of surgical procedures that were either postponed or cancelled to free up space and staff amid the pandemic. About 14,000 elective surgeries were put on hold in hospitals in the Champlain local health network region. In the Outaouais, […]

More than 15,000 surgeries postponed in eastern Ontario, Outaouais due to pandemic

(October 1, 2020) By: CBCNews, Yahoo News Hospitals in eastern Ontario and Outaouais are dealing with a lengthy backlog of surgical procedures that were either postponed or cancelled to free up space and staff amid the pandemic. About 14,000 elective surgeries were put on hold in hospitals in the Champlain local health network region. In the Outaouais, 1,150 surgical […]

Advocates, province address wait times for COVID-19 testing

(October 1, 2020) By: Mike Aiken, Kenora Online The province is looking at new ways to improve testing for the coronavirus. With a second wave underway, testing and contact tracing has become even more important. Natalie Mehra of the Ontario health coalition says we should be seeing better turn-around times. “We had a lull. We […]

More than 15,000 surgeries postponed in eastern Ontario, Outaouais due to pandemic

(October 1, 2020) By: CBC News A file photo of health professionals in a hospital room. Hospitals in the eastern Ontario region are dealing with a massive backlog of surgical procedures. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) Hospitals in eastern Ontario and Outaouais are dealing with a lengthy backlog of surgical procedures that were either postponed or cancelled to free […]

Long-term care homes unprepared for second wave, local health advocate says

(September 30, 2020) By: Cathy Dobson, The Sarnia Journal The Ford government has done nothing to prepare Ontario’s long-term care homes for a second wave of COVID-19 infections, says the chairperson of the Sarnia Lambton Health Coalition. Shirley Roebuck said the second wave has arrived, yet the province isn’t taking action to avoid the devastation […]

‘A wave, or a tsunami’; Next round of COVID-19 will be bad – but how bad is up to Ontarians, Ford says

(September 29, 2020) By: Antonella Artuso, Toronto Sun Expect Ontario’s second wave of the coronavirus to be worse than the original, warns Premier Doug Ford. The province reported 700 new cases of COVID-19 Monday – a single-day record that surpassed numbers seen at the height of the lockdown in April. Ford said the “deeply concerning” […]

Ontario reports 700 new COVID-19 cases, nearly half in Toronto

(September 28, 2020) By: Antonella Artuso, Toronto Sun Expect Ontario’s second wave of the coronavirus to be worse than the original, warns Premier Doug Ford. The province reported 700 new cases of COVID-19 Monday — a single-day record that surpassed numbers seen at the height of the lockdown in April. Ford said the “deeply concerning” […]

What caused the September surprise in testing? It’s complicated

(September 26, 2020) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citzen The long lines and boiling frustration around COVID-19 testing centres in Ottawa have led many to ask why the province wasn’t prepared for a predictable September spike in demand. Like most questions involving Ontario’s multibillion-dollar health system, the answer is complicated. Not only has the worst pandemic […]

What caused the September surprise in testing? It’s complicated

(September 26, 2020) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Sun The long lines and boiling frustration around COVID-19 testing centres in Ottawa have led many to ask why the province wasn’t prepared for a predictable September spike in demand. Like most questions involving Ontario’s multibillion-dollar health system, the answer is complicated. Not only has the worst pandemic […]

Health Coalition warns seniors’ infections on the rise again

(September 25, 2020) By: Renfrew Today While COVID-19 may be claiming new victims in the under 40 age group, the Ontario Health Coalition is cautioning Premier Ford not to take the situation in the Province’s longterm care homes for granted. Seniors were hardest hit in during the first wave of the virus, and numbers are […]

Layoff of nurses at Southlake, use of private clinics draw ire of health-care advocates

(September 24, 2020) By: Kim Champion, New Market Today Liberal MPP Michael Coteau today came out swinging against the Ford government during Question Period, accusing it of trying to privatize health care through the “back door” by suggesting payment to private medical clinics to help clear the surgery logjam created by the COVID-19 pandemic, a leaked […]

‘It’s A Free Market Society’: Doug Ford Dismisses Concerns About Company Charging $400 For COVID-19 Tests

(September 23, 2020) By: PressProgress “Healthcare is not a free market in Canada, that flies against the principles of our society,” healthcare advocates say. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is dismissing concerns about possible price gouging from private healthcare companies reportedly charging Ontarians hundreds of dollars for COVID-19 tests, suggesting that’s just how capitalism works. During […]

“Profit over people”: The business of Canada’s for-profit long-term care sector called into question

(September 21, 2020) By: Stephanie Hughes, Yahoo News Aaliyah* faced a lot of pressure and professional oversight working in an Extendicare long-term care home in the Toronto area over the past two years, but what she saw during the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t compare. Amidst growing COVID-19 cases in April she describes a lack of communication from […]

Feds ‘Urgently’ Need To Make Private Nursing Homes Public After COVID-19 Outbreaks

(September 18, 2020) By: Sherina Harris, HuffPost Canada Christine Collins’ brother Peter tested positive for COVID-19 less than a month after he was transferred from a hospital to Carlingview Manor in Ottawa. He was supposed to be in isolation upon arriving at the long-term care home, but on the dementia floor where he lived, residents wandered […]

Hamilton hospitals worry uptick of COVID-19 will disrupt elective cases again

(September 16, 2020) By: Joanna Frketich, The Hamilton Spectator Hamilton’s hospitals are watching Ontario’s uptick in COVID-19 cases with worry as they try to get through a massive backlog of postponed care. “We’re seeing increased cases in the community but we’re not seeing increased hospitalizations so far,” said Dr. Wes Stephen, chief operating officer of Hamilton Health […]

Ontario must address challenges in long-term care homes

(September 16, 2020) By: Wallaceburg Courier Press It is shocking, given the devastation of COVID-19 in our long-term care homes, but Ontario’s government has done little to address the critical staffing and care shortages. Even before COVID-19, across Ontario long-term care homes were critically short-staffed every shift, every day. Then the pandemic hit. Now the […]

Lakeridge Health says it’s under extreme budget pressures

(September 11, 2020) By: Frazer Snowdon, Global News The healthcare network that represents five hospitals in the Durham Region says it is facing significant budget pressures upwards of a $9.6M deficit, according to an internal memo obtained by Global News. Lakeridge Health says they operated 80-100 more beds than they were funded for last year. […]

Lakeridge Health says it’s under extreme budget pressures

(September 10, 2020) By: Frazer Snowdon, Global News The healthcare network that represents five hospitals in the Durham Region says it is facing significant budget pressures upwards of a $9.6M deficit, according to an internal memo obtained by Global News. Lakeridge Health says they operated 80-100 more beds than they were funded for last year. […]

Ontario Health Coalition demanding more transparency from province on COVID-19 outbreaks

(September 10, 2020) By: Jonah Shinuda, InBrampton The Ontario Health Coalition, which has been tracking COVID-19 outbreaks since the beginning of the pandemic, is calling for the provincial government to be more transparent about outbreaks of the virus and improve public access to information. The Coalition says it released two new reports in which it highlighted important information that is either no longer […]

Lakeridge Health says it’s under extreme budget pressures

Is Ontario ready for a second wave of COVID-19?

(September 8, 2020) By: Joanna Frketich & Grant LaFleche, St. Catharines Standard “Disaster upon disaster” is how the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario describes long-term-care homes during the pandemic. “Nursing homes basically during COVID-19 for several months were abandoned,” said CEO Doris Grinspun. “Abandoned by government in very concrete ways.” Despite promises from the federal and provincial […]

Ford’s commission won’t get to the bottom of LTC scandal

(September 7, 2020) By: Keith Leslie, The Hamilton Spectator It’s clear Ontario needs a public inquiry to determine why governments did nothing substantive to address a chronic shortage of long-term care workers that existed long before COVID-19 killed over 1,850 residents and staff. We can’t depend on Premier Doug Ford’s commission of inquiry to dig […]

As we enter The Great Unknown, the second wave of COVID-19, is Canada better prepared than we were before?

(September 5, 2020) By: Sharon Kirkey, Calgary Herald One evening in mid-March, as a weird and eerie illness was making itself frighteningly real in northern Italy and New York City, Ontario hospitals were instructed to commence shutting down “non-emergent” procedures, in anticipation of a COVID-19 surge. Dr. Jonathan Irish is a cancer surgeon. He had five […]

Two-day time lag in reporting Hamilton COVID-19 data

(September 4, 2020) By: Joanna Frketich, The Hamilton Spectator COVID-19 data will now be two days behind when it’s reported to the public on the city’s website. Hamilton public health services is blaming the 48-hour lag on the transition to a new case and contact management (CCM) system that is mandated by the Ministry of […]

13 Windsor Regional Hospital staff caught COVID-19 in the community, not from patients

(September 4, 2020) By: Jackie Sharkey, Yahoo News So far, 13 Windsor Regional Hospital staff have caught COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic, but it was from community exposure — not inside the hospital, says administration. The staff infection rate was released Thursday night at the hospital’s monthly board meeting. It’s an update from […]

COVID reporting demands more transparency

(September 2, 2020) By: Hamilton Spectator, The Hamilton Spectator Balancing competing priorities is never an easy task. It’s even more difficult when we’re talking about public health priorities, and it’s exponentially more difficult when we’re talking about public health priorities in a pandemic. That said, making those decisions is what public health officials get paid […]

Preparing nursing homes for a second wave starts with staffing

(August 27, 2020) By: Amit Arya Contributors: Amina Jabbar & Vivian Stamatopoulos, St. Catharines Standard Imagine if the Ministry of Education in Ontario didn’t mandate a minimum number of staff to look after children in daycares. Would one early childhood educator ever be expected to care for 30 toddlers in a single shift? What about […]

Ontario supply teachers left out of COVID-19 conversation, group says

(August 19, 2020) By: Osobe Waberi, The Canadian Press TORONTO — A coalition of Ontario educators says substitute teachers are concerned about health and safety risks related to working in multiple schools as they prepare to return to classrooms in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ontario Education Workers United, an organization made up of […]

‘We’re pissed!’: CUPE, OCHU demonstrate outside MPP’s office

(August 19, 2020) By: Cornwall Newswatch Elaine MacDonald with the Ontario Health Coalition speaks during a CUPE-OCHU demonstration outside MPP Jim McDonell’s office in Cornwall, Ont. on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2020. The unions say Ontario’s Bill 195 is stripping members of their rights under existing collective agreements. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston) CORNWALL – Around 30 members […]

Kenjgewin Teg, Wiikwemkoong work to help fill PSW void

(August 19, 2020) By: Warren Shlote, Manitoulin Express MANITOULIN – Two free courses on Manitoulin Island will train up to 50 people to become personal support workers (PSWs) in partnership with schools, nursing homes and a provincial grant, joining efforts to relieve some chronic staffing shortages in health care. “Last year, nine students started with […]

LEVY: Fix the problems before you add more LTC beds

(August 12, 2020) By: Gord Holder, Ottawa Sun Why do politicians repeatedly think that throwing more money at a long-time problem will fix it? There are no shortage of examples in my political experience. But Premier Doug Ford’s announcement Tuesday that he intends to fast-track another long-term care home with 320 beds suggests to me […]

Just another quick fix; Bed funding ignores the real issues

(August 12, 2020) By: Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun (Print Edition) Why do politicians repeatedly think that throwing more money at a longtime problem will fix it? There are no shortage of examples in my political experience. But Premier Doug Ford’s announcement Tuesday that he intends to fast-track another long-term-care home with 320 beds suggests to […]

Concerns raised about what to do if COVID-19 outbreak happens at school

(August 11, 2020) By: Nicole Lampa, CTV News Kitchener KITCHENER — Just four weeks before children across Ontario head back to school, some are raising concerns about the lack of guidance provided when it comes to dealing with a possible COVID-19 outbreak. The Ministry of Education for the province has said an outbreak will be […]

‘Some don’t even get showered’: Barrie long-term-care staffer discusses ‘upsetting’ working conditions

(August 10, 2020) By: Chris Simon & Janis Ramsay, Barrie Advance Out of the Simcoe-Muskoka region’s 37 COVID-19-related deaths, 24 are linked to long-term-care and retirement homes It’s all true, the stories of long-term-care residents who are malnourished and dehydrated, and who live in quarters that are dirty and foul-smelling. That’s according to two longtime […]

Island LTC braces for possible second wave

(August 5, 2020) By: Warren Schlote, Manitoulin Expositor MANITOULIN – Health experts, politicians, front-line workers and family members have described the way COVID-19 has impacted Canadian long-term care (LTC) homes as a failure, sparking public inquiries and calls to reckon with the high number of deaths within these facilities that outpaced many countries. Manitoulin Island […]

Lindsay business owner works to address inequities for PSWs

(July 31, 2020) By: Catherine Whitnall, Kawartha Lakes This Week Graham Bashford assisting government home-care company recruit caregivers and develop best practices Castle Keep Retirement Inc. owner Graham Bashford has been assisting a government home-care company with recruiting caregivers and developing best practices as his way of helping address inequities impacting personal support workers which […]

Kitchener woman wants families involved in long-term care home inquiry

(July 29, 2020) By: Nicole Lampa, CTV News KITCHENER — A Kitchener woman says the province should include families in its inquiry into long-term care homes in Ontario. Premier Doug Ford officially launched a commission of inquiry into how COVID-19 was able to grip the province’s long-term care homes leading to more than 1,800 resident […]

Virtual visits with Ontario family doctors to remain the norm, for now

(July 28, 2020) By: Yahoo News Canada While Ontario’s Stage 3 reopening means people can go to bars and eat in restaurants, family physicians are unlikely to transition from virtual to in-person visits any time soon, despite concerns over potential long-term consequences. “Until it is feasible for doctors to protect their communities, they are not going to change […]

Sudbury MPP hosting online town hall Tuesday to discuss long-term care

(July 27, 2020) By: Sudbury.com Staff People having concerns about long-term care in Ontario will have the opportunity to learn more Tuesday, July 28. Sudbury MPP Jamie West (New Democrat) will be hosting a virtual town hall meeting on his official Facebook page. The event is scheduled to run between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and […]

New OHC report reveals worsening situation in Long Term Care

(July 26, 2020) By: Samantha Butler-Hassan, Kingstonist The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) released a sobering report on Wednesday, Jul. 22 revealing systemic staffing shortages in Long Term Care (LTC) homes. The survey took place during the week of Jul. 10 to 17, 2020 in every region in Ontario. Ninety-five percent of respondents indicated their LTC […]

Health group reporting “serious” COVID outbreaks in retail stores and shelter system

(July 26, 2020) By: Enzo Dimatteo, Now Toronto The Ontario Health Coalition says specifics of the outbreaks are being underreported by public health units and largely shielded from public scrutiny. Ontario recorded spikes in the number of COVID cases this week. Are we going through the fits and starts of Stage 3 reopening? Or are the numbers […]

Pandemic has hampered long-term care: Ontario Health Coalition

(July 24, 2020) By: Francis Racine, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic seems to have created worsening conditions in Ontario’s long-term care homes, according to a recent survey organized by the Ontario Health Coalition. Survey results, unveiled on Wednesday, demonstrated a high number of long-term care staff members polled considered shortages felt in the facilities […]

Good morning, Sudbury! Here are eight stories to start your day

(July 24, 2020) By: Sudbury.com Staff Good morning, Greater Sudbury. Here are some stories to start your day. Coalition says LTC staffing was in crisis before COVID-19, is ‘unspeakable’ now: The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is calling on the Ontario Government to take immediate action to boost the staffing levels at long-term care homes, which […]

Here’s the latest on COVID-19 outbreaks in health care and non-health-care settings: report

(July 24, 2020) By: Matt Dionne, inthehammer Since COVID-19 began spreading throughout the province in March, the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) has been tracking the number of people who have contracted the virus in health care settings. As Stage 2 permitted more types of businesses to open, the OHC began tracking outbreaks in other industries as well. […]

Ontario healthcare settings see 30 new coronavirus outbreaks in one month: report

(July 24, 2020) By: Clarrie Feinstein, Daily Hub News Two new reports tracking COVID-19 outbreaks in healthcare settings and non-healthcare settings were released this week and show an increase of cases in the last month. On Thursday, the Ontario Health Coalition (OCH) revealed their findings, which found 30 new outbreaks in health and congregate care settings […]

Major Staff Shortages At Long Term Care Homes

(July 24, 2020) By: Mike Ebbeling, CKDR The Ontario Health Coalition is sounding alarms over the state of our long term care homes. A Coalition survey shows 95% of staff report that their long-term care facility is short staffed. It also shows 63% of staff report staffing levels are worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic […]

Health coalition survey shows severe staff shortages at LTC homes

(July 23, 2020) By: Allan Benner, The Standard Long-term care homes in Niagara were well represented in an Ontario Health Coalition survey that determined 95 per cent of the facilities across the province are understaffed, says Sue Hotte, president of the organization’s local chapter. The results of the provincewide survey were released Wednesday by the […]

Ontario’s long-term care homes are woefully understaffed: survey

(July 23, 2020) By: Maureen Revait, BlackBurnNews.com File photo courtesy © CanStockPhoto.com/Leaf) A health advocacy organization is calling for change after a survey revealed the vast majority of staff at long-term care homes across Ontario are working short-staffed virtually every day. The Ontario Health Coalition surveyed 150 staff members from 75 long-term care homes across the province […]

COVID-19: Significant drop in new cases in Ottawa and Ontario, back-to-school info could come next week

(July 23, 2020) By: Taylor Blewett, Edmonton Sun What you need to know, at a glance New cases of COVID-19 were down significantly Thursday, compared to case counts early in the week. Ontario reported just 103 new cases bringing the number of active cases province-wide to 1,492, while no new deaths were reported. The province […]

COVID-19 : les hôpitaux ontariens tentent de résorber le retard en chirurgie

(July 23, 2020) By: Radio-Canada La COVID-19 a forcé l’annulation et le report de plusieurs chirurgies afin de libérer de l’espace dans les hôpitaux. (PHOTO : ISTOCK) De nombreux patients se retrouvent dans les limbes du système de santé après que des milliers d’interventions chirurgicales non urgentes aient été annulées ou reportées en réponse à […]

COVID-19: Back-to-school details could come early next week; new cases down significantly in city and Ontario

(July 23, 2020) By: Taylor Blewett, Ottawa Citizen What you need to know, at a glance New cases of COVID-19 were down significantly Thursday, compared to case counts early in the week. Ontario reported just 103 new cases bringing the number of active cases province-wide to 1,492, while no new deaths were reported. The province […]

Coalition says LTC staffing was in crisis before COVID-19, is ‘unspeakable’ now

(July 23, 2020) By: Len Gillis, Sudbury.com (Supplied) The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is calling on the Ontario Government to take immediate action to boost the staffing levels at long-term care homes, which the OHC says has staffing levels just as bad or worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition’s claim follows the release of […]

Things ‘worse than ever’; Staffing issues at LTC homes continue to deteriorate

(July 23, 2020) By: Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun A newly released Ontario Health Coalition survey has quantified what many families and advocates have been hearing in the last three months: Namely that long-term care homes have even worse staffing issues than before the COVID-19 pandemic. OHC executive director Natalie Mehra told a Zoom media conference […]

SURVEY RELEASED REVEALING CURRENT CONDITIONS IN LTC HOMES ACROSS ONTARIO

(July 23, 2020) By: Matt Holmes, iHeartRadio Matt Holmes Speaks with Natalie Mehra – Executive Director Ontario Health Coalition regarding new survey revealing condition in long term care homes in Ontario Link to full radio interview here

Long-term care survey results ‘disturbing,’ coalition

(July 23, 2020) By: Mike Aiken, Kenora Online Long-term care workers in Ontario are worried about the state of homes and their patients, as they wait for a second wave of COVID-19. Natalie Mehra at the Ontario Health Coalition talks about the results of a recent survey, noting staffing shortages across the province are were […]

More COVID-19 deaths at for-profit nursing homes in Ontario, study finds

(July 23, 2020) By: The Canadian Press, inhalton For-profit long-term care homes in Ontario saw significantly worse outbreaks of COVID-19 and more related deaths than their non-profit or municipally run counterparts, according to a new study released on Wednesday. The paper in the peer-reviewed Canadian Medical Association Journal raises questions about the ownership status of […]

Ontario hospitals strive to clear surgery backlog as patients remain in limbo due to COVID-19

(July 23, 2020) By: CBC News, Yahoo News After hospitals across Ontario cancelled or postponed thousands of elective surgeries to free up space amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officials are now facing a new challenge: Tackling a massive backlog of surgical procedures while anxious patients remain in limbo. As CBC News previously reported, an estimated 100,000 […]

More deaths at for-profit nursing homes: Study

(July 23, 2020) By: Colin Perkel, Chatham Daily News TORONTO For-profit long-term care homes in Ontario saw significantly worse outbreaks of COVID-19 and more related deaths than their non-profit or municipally run counterparts, according to a new study released on Wednesday. The paper in the peer-reviewed Canadian Medical Association Journal raises questions about the ownership […]

Long-term care staffing crisis worse than before pandemic, survey says

(July 23, 2020) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen Residents of Ontario long-term care homes are going without baths, missing crucial care and waiting hours for their meals because of worsening staff shortages, a staff survey released by the Ontario Health Coalition suggests. The survey of more than 150 staff members at 75 long-term care homes […]

Staff Shortages Highlight Long-Term Care Staff Survey

(July 23, 2020) By: Randy Thoms, 93.1 The Border A survey of long term care staff is highlighting some heartbreaking stats. The survey was conducted by the Ontario Health Coalition. “Staff haven’t had time to explain COVID-19 to residents who are confused. They don’t have time to visit with them. This really struck an emotional […]

Staffing levels a concern at long-term care facilities

(July 22, 2020) By: Amanda Smith, Quinte News A new survey by the Ontario Health Coalition is shedding some light on staffing issues at long-term care facilities in the province. Surveys were conducted from July 10-17 province wide and completed by those who work in long-term care homes that range in size from 55 beds […]

Global News Peterborough Update 2: July 22, 2020

(July 22, 2020) By: Global News The results of a long-term care survey conducted by the Ontario Health Coalition are set to be released today, Peterborough Public Health holds its final media briefing, and more from the City of Kawartha Lakes on its COVID-19 measures. Here is your CHEX news update with Noor Ibrahim. Link […]

Long-Term Care Survey Reports Staffing Shortages

(July 22, 2020) By: Sheri Leviski-Kotyk, Country 105 Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director Natalie Mehra A survey of long term care staff highlights heartbreaking stats. That’s according to Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director Natalie Mehra. “Staff haven’t had time to explain COVID-19 to residents who are confused. They don’t have time to visit with them. […]

Coalition says Ontario LTCs chronically understaffed

(July 22, 2020) By: DurhamRegion.com The Ontario Health Coalition has released a survey of staff at long-term care facilities in Ontario and it found that 93 per cent of respondents said the sites are chronically understaffed. Some respondents said the staffing has been worse since the pandemic began in March. DURHAM — A health coalition […]

Les préposés aux bénéficiaires sont à bout dans les foyers de l’Ontario, selon un sondage

(July 22, 2020) By: Radio-Canada Des personnes âgées dans un centre de soins de longue durée. (PHOTO : RADIO-CANADA) La coalition Santé Ontario tire la sonnette d’alarme et demande au gouvernement Ford d’investir massivement dans les conditions de travail des préposés aux bénéficiaires pour améliorer la qualité de vie des résidents dans les centres de […]

Analysis: Why were COVID-19 outbreaks worse in older Toronto nursing homes?

(July 22, 2020) By: Mike Adler, Toronto.com Hawthorne Place Care Centre is a long-term-care facility near Jane Street and Finch Avenue. – Dan Pearce/Torstar Alessandra Lamanna-La Marca remembers the slow, shuddering elevator to the third floor, its stifling heat in summer, and the urine smells outside her mother’s four-bed room. That Hawthorne Place Care Centre room […]

Coronavirus: Ontario government relaxes visiting rules for long-term care homes

(July 22, 2020) By: Global News Family members in Ontario are now allowed to visit their loved ones inside long-term care homes. The change comes after the Ontario Health Coalition announces results about staffing inside these facilities. As Morganne Campbell reports, there’s concern homes do not have the resources needed to facilitate such visits. Link […]

Ontario Health Coalition survey report reveals grim staffing outlook at long-term care homes

(July 22, 2020) By: Brock Ormond, InQuinte.ca Results released Wednesday from an Ontario Health Coalition survey are revealing a dark picture surrounding staffing and care levels at long-term care facilities. The Coalition stated the survey was conducted over the week of July 10 to 17 in every Ontario region and revealed that 95 percent of […]

LEVY: Study says LTC homes have huge staffing issues

(July 22, 2020) By: Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun A newly released Ontario Health Coalition survey has quantified what many families and advocates have been hearing in the past three months: Namely that long-term care homes have even worse staffing issues than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. OHC executive director Natalie Mehra told a Zoom press […]

More staff needed at long-term care homes ahead of potential second wave, provincial health watchdog says

(July 22, 2020) By: Nicole Lampa, CTV News KITCHENER — A provincial health watchdog is calling on the province to increase staffing levels at long-term care homes across Ontario. The Ontario Health Coalition said homes won’t be prepared if a second wave of COVID-19 arrives in the fall. A study by the Ontario Health Coalition […]

Survey findings paint bleak picture of staffing and care levels in long-term care homes

(July 22, 2020) By: All in a Day with Alan Neal, CBC Radio Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra joined the radio program to discuss the findings from the organization’s survey report of long-term care staff. Link to full radio interview here

Eight More Ontarians admitted to hospital with COVID-19 as daily caseload drops below 200

(July 22, 2020) By: Rob Ferguson, WaterlooChronical.ca Eight more Ontarians have been admitted to hospital for COVID-19 as the number of cases fell back below 200 following a one-day surge and an advocacy group warned nursing homes need more staff to cope with a potential second wave in the fall. The Ministry of Health reported […]

Coalition demands action on LTC

(July 22, 2020) By: Colleen Romaniuk, Nipawin Journal Staff across the province continue to describe staffing shortages in long-term care homes as “heartbreaking,” and are warning the Ford government that the province’s facilities are not prepared for a second wave of COVID-19. The Ontario Health Coalition released the results of a survey distributed to more […]

Long-term care staff shortages worse than ever according to survey

(July 22, 2020) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen A file photo from an Ontario long-term care home. Photo by Brian Thompson /Postmedia Residents of Ontario long-term care homes are going without baths, missing crucial care and waiting hours for their meals because of worsening staff shortages, a staff survey released by the Ontario Health Coalition […]

Limited indoor visits can now resume at Ontario long-term care homes

(July 22, 2020) By: The Canadian Press TORONTO — Many of Ontario’s long-term care homes are able to resume indoor visits on Wednesday, months after closing their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilities not currently experiencing an outbreak of the novel coronavirus have allowed outdoor visits since last month, but can now permit residents’ […]

Hour 3 of Ottawa Now for Wed. July 22nd, 2020

(July 22, 2020) By: Kristy Cameron, Ottawa Now. Hour 3 of Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron (Natalie Mehra)- talking about the new OHC staffing survey report. According to a new staffing survey, 95 percent of Ontario’s Long-Term Care Staff are reporting staffing shortages. The Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition stops by in […]

Real long-term care reform demands more than finger-pointing and spin

(July 19, 2020) By: Keith Leslie, The Spec Premier Doug Ford promises to improve the conditions in Ontario’s long term care homes that led to the deaths of 1,730 residents and eight staff during the pandemic, but he won’t discuss the role of private corporations. This week, Ford announced a new funding model to get […]

Why Doug Ford’s to blame for health-care mess

(July 15, 2020) By: Bob Hepburn, The Record There’s a well-worn saying in the business world that you can’t cut your way to greatness. It applies equally well to Ontario’s health-care system, which is struggling to cope under the unprecedented strains imposed by the current COVID-19 pandemic. As he launches a major campaign-style road show this week […]

Palliative care has been lacking for decades in long-term care

(July 16, 2020) Dr. Amit Arya is a palliative care physician and a board member of the Ontario Health Coalition By: Amit Arya, Policy Options When the Canadian Armed Forces were called in to help Ontario’s nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were shocked by the care and treatment of our nation’s seniors. Their report shared […]

Peterborough activists fear province’s plan to reform home care

(July 9, 2020) By: Matthew Barker, The Peterborough Examiner Peterborough health advocates are worried the provincial government’s plan to modernize home care will impact those who depend on the service and potentially leave others at risk. Bill 175, called the Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, would allow new Ontario health teams being […]

Ford government making life easier for LTC operators

(July 8, 2020) By: Keith Leslie, The Hamilton Spectator COVID-19 devastated long-term-care homes in Ontario, but it also helped LTC operators get rid of some regulations, at least temporarily, that they’ve lobbied for years to have eliminated. Last year, under the guise of “flexibility,” LTC homes asked to use less qualified staff to address a […]

Ford government making life easier for LTC operators

Health Coalition says Bill 175 would increase long-term care privatization

(July 7, 2020) By: Jake Romphf, Chatham Daily News The Ontario Health Coalition is calling out the Ontario government’s handling of long-term care homes by criticizing Bill 175, which the group says would increase privatization. Some of the coalition’s Southwestern Ontario representatives held a Zoom press conference Friday to speak out against the bill, which […]

Local health coalitions call for action on LTC, withdrawal of Bill 175

(July 4, 2020) By: Brian Cross, Windsor Star Defenders of public health care accuse the Doug Ford government of ignoring the crisis in long-term care and rushing through a bill they say is “a pathway to privatization of the entire health-care system.” When Bill 175, Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, was introduced […]

Health Coalition says more privatization is not the answer

(July 4, 2020) By: Maureen Revait, Blackburn News The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on the Ontario government to repeal a bill that could introduce more privatization in the province’s health care system. Tracey Ramsey Co-Chair of Windsor Health Coalition said the government’s focus should be on fixing the current situation in long-term care homes […]

Former Essex MP Calls for Halt on Bills 175 and 161

(July 4, 2020) By: Gord Bacon, AM800 CKLW The Ontario Health Coalition is calling for the Ford government to halt two key pieces of legislation. The Ontario PC’s are being called out by the coalition for trying to sneak Bills 175 and 161 past the legislature during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill 175 is supposed to […]

Des hôpitaux d’Ottawa veulent ouvrir des centres satellites dans les maisons pour aînés

(July 3, 2020) By: CBC/Radio Canada © /CBC/Jean Delisle La direction de lL’Hôpital Élizabeth-Bruyère demandent la création de 110 nouveaux lits de soins de longue durée. Des hôpitaux d’Ottawa demandent au gouvernement ontarien d’approuver rapidement leurs plans pour rendre disponible des centaines de lits de soins de transition et de longue durée dans des milieux […]

Protesters rally against home care bill ahead of third reading

(July 2, 2020) By: Natalie van Roy, CTV News KITCHENER — A group of protesters rallied on Thursday afternoon against a new provincial home care bill. The demonstrators in Kitchener said Bill 175 could privatize home care delivery in Ontario. The bill has passed two readings and is scheduled for a third in the near […]

We need an ethical compass for fixing long-term care during the COVID-19 crisis

(July 3, 2020) By: David Pfrimmer, The Hamilton Spectator When Canada’s military recently reported the living conditions in some of the country’s long-term-care homes “appeared to be nothing short of horrid and inhumane,” Canadians were stunned and justifiably outraged. But those familiar with the long-term care sector were shocked but not surprised. We have been […]

Rallies fail to generate much interest

(July 3, 2020) By: Harold Carmichael, Sudbury Star (Print Edition) Last week, the Sudbury Health Coalition – concerned about the province passing two bills that would change how long-term care facilities in the province are monitored and can be taken to court – held two protests. One was held on Elm Street in front of […]

Ottawa hospitals pushing for satellite sites in retirement homes

(July 3, 2020) Yahoo News Hospitals in Ottawa are asking the Ontario government to quickly approve plans to create hundreds of new long-term care and transitional beds at local retirement homes in order to free up space for acute-care patients. Both The Ottawa Hospital and the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital have applied to the Ontario government to […]

Ottawa hospitals pushing for satellite sites in retirement homes

(July 3, 2020) By: Julie Ireton, CBC Ottawa Hospitals in Ottawa are asking the Ontario government to quickly approve plans to create hundreds of new long-term care and transitional beds at local retirement homes in order to free up space for acute-care patients. Both The Ottawa Hospital and the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital have applied to the […]

Long-term care protest at Garden City Manor gives provincial government a failing grade

(July 3, 2020) By: Bill Sawchuk, The Standard The Ontario Health Coalition held a protest in St. Catharines Friday and gave Premier Doug Ford’s government a failing mark on long-term care in Ontario. “We want better care and funding for long-term care residents and staff workers,” said Sue Hotte, Niagara Health Coalition chair. “What we […]

Health rally scheduled for Thursday; Local briefs

(July 2, 2020) By: Sudbury Star (Print Edition) Health advocates in Sudbury will join others across the province tomorrow in demanding better care for seniors. “Events will include updates on the Ford government’s failure to respond to the crisis in long-term care (and) their attempt to push through Bill 175, the new law that privatizes […]

A call to action for long-term care

(July 2, 2020) By: Michael Swan, The Catholic Register With almost 80 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in Canada occurring in long-term care facilities, there will need to be a reckoning of just how these homes should operate in the future. Catholics are getting ready to play a role in the post-COVID look at what […]

Advocacy group staging protests against new Provincial Bill

(July 2, 2020) By: Matt Dionne, Inbrampton The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is staging protests across the province in relation to a new bill proposed by the Ford government. Bill 175 would privatize and remove oversight for home and community care, while Bill 161 would make it harder to launch class-action lawsuits against private companies, including […]

Advocacy group staging protests against new provincial long-term care bill

(July 2, 2020) By: Matt Dionne, Insauga The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is staging protests across the province in relation to a new bill proposed by the Ford government. Bill 175 would privatize and remove oversight for home and community care, while Bill 161 would make it harder to launch class-action lawsuits against private companies, including […]

Public health care under threat says London Health Coalition

(July 2, 2020) By: Bryan Bicknell, CTV News London LONDON, ONT. — Demonstrators gathered outside Covent Garden Market Thursday to protest a bill they say could lead to the end of public health care as we know it. “We’re very concerned that if home care gets privatized the last vestiges of what we have in […]

Advocacy group staging protests against new Ontario bill

(July 2, 2020) By: Matt Dionne, Inhalton The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is staging protests across the province in relation to a new bill proposed by the Ford government. Bill 175 would privatize and remove oversight for home and community care, while Bill 161 would make it harder to launch class-action lawsuits against private companies, including […]

Inaction on long-term care focus of Thurs. rallies

(July 1, 2020) By: Sudbury Star Staff Protesters demand better care for seniors at a June 24 rally organized by the Sudbury chapter of the Ontario Health Coalition. The same group will be holding more rallies tomorrow (Thursday) outside the Rainbow Centre and on Barrydowne Road. John Lappa/Sudbury Star Health advocates in Sudbury will join […]

Ontario’s ombudsman received more than 800 complaints due to COVID-19

(June 30, 2020) By: Rob Ferguson, Northumberland News Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dube also launched an investigation June 1 into the provincial government’s oversight of nursing homes and released his annual report this week. – Dan Pearce Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé says his investigation into the high death toll from COVID-19 at nursing homes is looking […]

Ontario’s ombudsman received more than 800 complaints due to COVID-19

(June 30, 2020) By: Rob Ferguson, Orangeville.com Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dube also launched an investigation June 1 into the provincial government’s oversight of nursing homes and released his annual report this week. – Dan Pearce Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé says his investigation into the high death toll from COVID-19 at nursing homes is looking at […]

Advocacy groups declare anti-Black racism a public health crisis

(June 30, 2020) By: Lily Huang, The Charlatan Protestors gather on Wellington street in front of Parliament for the protest. [Photo by Tim Austen] Anti-Black racism is a systemic issue that affects all facets of life for the Black community, including their health. Several organizations in Canada declared anti-Black racism a public health crisis within […]

Advocacy group urging Province to resume releasing COVID-19 data for health care settings

(June 28, 2020) By: Matt Dionne, Inhalton Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in Ontario, the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) has been tracking the spread of the virus in health care settings. Additionally, the OHC has been comparing their data with Public Health Ontario’s data and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s data. Based on their most […]

Homecare disaster looming on the horizon

(June 27, 2020) By: Roma Smith, North Bay Nugget (Print Edition) To the editor: While we are distracted by the horrors happening in long-term care, the Doug Ford government is ramming a bill through the legislature that will lead to the privatization of homecare. In the 1990s, the Conservative government turned long-term care over to […]

Ottawa At Work with Leslie Roberts for Wednesday June 24th, 2020

(June 24, 2020) By: Leslie Roberts, 580 CFRA Ottawa At Work with Leslie Roberts for Wednesday June 24th, 2020 interview with Natalie Mehra (begins 7:35). Click here for original clip

New provincial bill could change how home care is delivered, Waterloo region health advocate warns

(June 27, 2020) By: Kate Bueckert, CBC news Kitchener-Waterloo Health advocates are warning a new provincial bill could make big changes the way home care is delivered in Ontario. (DGLimages/Shutterstock) A new bill could change how home care is delivered in the province and could even pave the way for privatization, says one Waterloo region health advocate. But […]

Protesters demand fixes in long-term care homes; Local advocates slam the Ontario’s new long-term care legislation

(June 25, 2020) By: Mark Malone, Chatham Daily News Dental hygienist Pat Lambier says she’s seen oral problems in local long-term care homes as appalling as those she faced in Indonesian refugee camps. “It was like a Third World country,” she said. Lambier stopped working in Southwestern Ontario homes six or seven years ago, but […]

Citizens rally for seniors care

(June 25, 2020) By: Mary Katherine Keown, Sudbury Star They rallied in the rain to make their voices heard. A half-dozen supporters of the Ontario Health Coalition braved Wednesday’s cold rain and assembled at the Elm Street offices of the Northeast Local Health Integration Network Wednesday afternoon to show their concern for Bill 175. The […]

Ontario Health Coalition calls for action on long-term care; Chair says advocacy group opposed to ‘hastily written’Bill 175

(June 25, 2020) By: Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer Ontario should immediately launch a public inquiry into longterm care and withdraw its legislation to change the province’s home-care system, says the local chairperson of the Ontario Health Coalition. Shirley Roebuck, who also sits on the provincial board of the group advocating for public health care, spoke […]

Ford government defeats amendment to remove profits from home care

(June 24, 2020) By: Zaid Noorsumar, RankandFile The Ontario PC government of Premier Doug Ford has rejected the Official Opposition’s call to remove profits from the province’s home care sector. During the standing committee meetings for Bill 175 on Monday and Tuesday, the government struck down all of the amendments proposed by the opposition parties. The NDP […]

PROTESTS AGAINST BILL 175 TODAY

(June 24, 2020) By: Tami Jeanneret, iHeart Radio Members and supporters of the Ontario Health Coalition will be staging several noon hour protests today. The protests at MPP’s offices and Queen’s Park are aimed at Bill 175, a plan the group says will restructure and privatize home care while refusing to address critical care and […]

Bill to privatize home care being rushed through, health advocates say

(June 24, 2020) By: Angela Gemmill, CBC News Currently all publicly-funded home care service in Ontario is assessed and then provided through the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). (DGLimages/Shutterstock) Advocates of publicly funding health care are sounding the alarm bells over new legislation under debate at Queens Park, which would restructure and privatize home […]

Younger disabled people hurt by ‘patchwork system of long-term care’

(June 24, 2020) By: John Loeppky, ricochet I think the solution is to get out. When the house is on fire, you get out the house, you don’t stay put.” That’s what Jonathan Marchand, a resident in a long-term care facility in Quebec, has to say when asked about the predicament facing people with disabilities […]

Protesters demand improvements in long-term care homes

(June 24, 2020) By: Mark Malone, Chatham Daily News Chatham-Kent Health Coalition chairperson Shirley Roebuck speaks during a protest about issues in long-term care homes outside MPP Rick Nicholls’s office in Chatham, Ont., on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Mark Malone/Chatham Daily News/Postmedia Network Dental hygienist Pat Lambier says she’s seen oral problems in local long-term […]

Advocacy group urging Province to resume releasing COVID-19 data for health care settings

(June 24, 2020) By: Matt Dionne, inbrampton Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in Ontario, the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) has been tracking the spread of the virus in health care settings. Additionally, the OHC has been comparing their data with Public Health Ontario’s data and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s data. Based on their most recent report, the […]

Bill 175 to ‘modernize’ delivery of home-care services: Nicholls

(June 24, 2020) By: Chatham Voice Staff, The Chatham Voice With members of the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition (CKHC) poised to picket outside his offices today, local MPP Rick Nicholls commented on their areas of concern. The CKHC and the Ontario Health Coalition are picketing over Bill 175, the Connecting People to Home and Community Care […]

Ontario Health Coalition calls for action on long-term care

(June 24, 2020) By: Paul Morden, The Observer Shirley Roebuck, with the Ontario Health Coalition, stands outside the constituency office Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey. PAUL MORDEN / THE OBSERVER Ontario should immediately launch a public inquiry into long-term care and withdraw its legislation to change the province’s home-care system, says the local chairperson of the […]

Ontario Health Coalition calls for action on long-term care

(June 24, 2020) By: Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer Ontario should immediately launch a public inquiry into long-term care and withdraw its legislation to change the province’s home-care system, says the local chairperson of the Ontario Health Coalition. Shirley Roebuck, who also sits on the provincial board of the group advocating for public health care, spoke […]

Health Coalition says new bill will lead to more privatization of home care

(June 24, 2020) By: Doug Diaczuk, tbnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – The Ontario Health Coalition is raising the alarm about legislation proposed by the Ford government that it says will open the door to more privatization of home care and long-term care in the province. The Ontario Health Coalition held rallies in 12 cities across Ontario, […]

Demonstration against Bill 175

(June 24, 2020) By: Melanie Irwin, blackburnnews.com Sarnia-Lambton Health Coalition Chair Shirley Roebuck and Steve Clendenning with Unifor Local 914, taking part in a province-wide day of action to bring attention to Bill 175. 24 June 2020. (BlackburnNews.com photo by Colin Gowdy) There was only a couple of people at a demonstration outside Sarnia-Lambton MPP […]

Demonstrators call for more sober second thought on new Ontario home care bill

(June 24, 2020) By: Len Gillis, sudbury.com A steady sprinkle of rain in downtown Sudbury didn’t dampen the spirits of a small but passionate group of protesters who believe Premier Doug Ford is steering his government in the wrong direction with Bill 175, known as the Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020. […]

Protesters rally against province’s community and home care bill

(June 24, 2020) By: Katherine Hill, CTV News KITCHENER — Protesters rallied in Kitchener on Wednesday against the Ford government’s proposed bill to change how home care operates in the province. The group gathered along King Street in Kitchener, near local MPP Amy Fee’s office. Organizers said they’re concerned Bill 175 will restructure and privatize […]