Long-term care advocate welcomes first interim report from the Premier's Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2019 /CNW/ - Yesterday morning the Premier's Council on ending hallway medicine released its first interim report titled Hallway Health Care: A System Under Strain. The Ontario Long Term Care Association welcomes the Council's report and its focus on ensuring patients receive the best care in the most appropriate setting. 

In October 2018, the Ontario Long Term Care Association revealed its plan to assist with the province's goal of fixing hallway medicine. The plan presents key recommendations to help the province in providing better care environments while also relieving pressure on hospitals and promoting cost savings. Some of the outlined recommendations include:

• Hire more staff for long-term care: Change the requirement for 24/7 registered nurse coverage to 24/7 registered staff coverage when appropriate, and ensure homes can utilize more flexible approaches to staffing. 
• Build and modernize long-term care homes: Focus on adding the government's promised 15,000 new beds to existing homes, making them more economical to redevelop in the future. 
• Focus on care, not on unnecessary government paperwork: Conduct a legislative review of the Long-Term Care Homes Act to limit the unintended administrative burden care staff face on a daily basis.

"Over the past six months, our Association has worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to find solutions to Ontario's most pressing health care challenges," said Candace Chartier, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Long Term Care Association. "This report highlights the need to address key challenges and identify opportunities collaboratively. We look forward to working with Dr. Rueben Devlin and the Council closely to identify much-needed solutions for Ontario and for our seniors."

About the Ontario Long Term Care Association 
The Ontario Long Term Care Association is the largest association of long-term care providers in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long-term care operators — private, not-for-profit, charitable, and municipal. The Association represents nearly 70% of Ontario's 630 long-term care homes, located in communities across the province. Our members provide care and accommodation services to more than 70,000 residents annually.

SOURCE Ontario Long Term Care Association

For further information:

Judy Irwin, Senior Manager, Communications, Ontario Long Term Care Association, 647-256-3493, jirwin@oltca.com