Statement from CEO Donna Duncan
In response to the Ontario Ombudsman report on oversight of long-term care homes:
“The lives of long-term care residents, their loved ones, and the staff who care for them were forever changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, across Canada and around the world. The Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) and the staff and leadership teams of our long-term care homes are committed to supporting solutions that safeguard against any further tragedies.
The long-term care sector has been undergoing significant transformation since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to work with partners across Ontario’s health system, Canada and around the world to build a stronger system of care for our most vulnerable citizens.
The OLTCA and its members thank the Ontario Government for its historic investments toward progress in addressing long-standing systemic and structural issues while revitalizing long-term care for our residents, their families, and the communities where they live.
Long-term care homes are actively working with government, residents, staff and families to transform long-term care. As part of these efforts, it is vital to continue to stabilize long-term care to ensure safe and quality care is there when people need it. This includes upgrading older homes and investing in new homes while introducing new models of care. This effort also must include working with health system partners and government to implement innovative solutions to fix the health care workforce crisis which impacts all areas of our health system.
It will take all of us working together across the seniors’ health continuum of care in communities across Ontario to build a system that puts people – and their needs – at the center of transformation.”