Ontario set to reduce inspections at long-term care homes, says NDP health critic

The Ontario government plans to reduce inspections at most long-term care homes, according to NDP health critic and Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas.

"It concerns be deeply," she said.

"We have such little choice as to where our loved ones end up going that I want every long-term care home to guarantee safe and good quality care, and right now we don't have that in Ontario."

The provincial government is planning to scale back its full annual examinations to once every three years with lighter checkups every two years in between, Gelinas said. 

'I'm quite shocked over it,' says senior advocate

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care would not confirm the changes, but a spokesperson said the government is working on prioritizing inspections at long-term care facilities.

Tom Brason of the Sault Ste. Marie advocacy group Voices for the Elderly is worried about what could slide if there are fewer inspections.

"I'm quite shocked over it," Brason said.

"There's been a case there where there were no documented baths for a resident for a two week period, so we're seeing first hand the beneficial effects of the inspections."

Targeted inspections needed

The chair of the NorthEast Family Council Network, Nancy Johnson, thinks the province should take a more targeted approach. 

"Just a routine inspection that is just there to fill a quota and occupy people's time is not helpful," she said. 

Johnson said less time should be spent checking in on homes that are functioning well and more time spent on facilities that have problems. 

Long-term care homes would follow the rules, says Sudbury city councillor

But not every one is concerned.

"Long-term care homes are not going to fool around with non-compliance issues that the ministry is requiring to be fixed," Sudbury city councillor and chair of the committee of management for the home Pioneer Manor, Rober Kirwan, said.

"Pioneer Manor staff are more or less doing inspections every day because it's important when you're dealing with 433 residents that have so many needs that you're really following the guidelines that you're supposed to be compliant with."