Ministry of Long-Term Care
Norfolk County operates Norview Lodge, an important part of the local health-care and seniors' support system. Like long-term care homes across Ontario, Norview is facing increasing operational pressures while being expected to maintain high standards of care and comply with growing regulatory and training requirements.
Where we're at
For a rural municipality, these challenges are particularly significant. Norfolk competes with hospitals and other health-care providers for the same skilled workforce, making it difficult to recruit and retain Nurse Practitioners and other specialized staff.
Norfolk asks that the Province:
- Strengthen and stabilize funding for municipal long-term care homes so that facilities can continue to provide high-quality, resident-centred care while addressing the unique challenges of operating in a rural community.
- Increase annual operating funding to at least 3.5% to better reflect the rising costs of living, arbitrated wage increases, and benefit enhancements. The current annual provincial increase of approximately 2% does not adequately keep pace with the actual costs of operating long-term care homes.
- Increase funding for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to support recruitment and retention in municipal long-term care. Rural homes face significant competition from hospital networks and other health-care employers for qualified NPs.
- Continue and strengthen provincial support for Vulnerable Sector Criminal Reference Checks (VCRCs) for long-term care employees. Homes continue to experience challenges obtaining timely checks for non-nursing positions, including maintenance, housekeeping, laundry and dietary staff.
- Provide additional dedicated funding for mandatory staff training. Long-term care employees are required to complete extensive mandatory and regulatory training.
Norfolk is ready.
We can grow Ontario, together.