CUPE and OCHU are campaigning for a legislated minimum average of four worked hours of nursing and personal care per resident per day in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Key points: [1] The relevant population is increasing rapidly; [2] New beds are not being created at the same pace; [3] Resident acuity and impairment are increasing; [4] Increasing acuity requires more care; [5] The province of Ontario provides less funding and less care than other provinces; [6] Expert research supports our proposal; [7] The experience of CUPE members in the homes provides some of the most compelling evidence of the need for more care. History: In the past, Ontario did have a standard of care, but it was taken away by the Mike Harris Progressive Conservative government. At the time of its abolition the standard was insufficient – it was set at only 2.25 hours per resident per day. Since that time the homes have changed dramatically: residents are much more impaired. The Ontario He
Notes from Leftwords -- Doug Allan