Today, the government released further details about their plan to ensure Ontario seniors receive a minimum of four hours of direct care. This ambitious plan includes a historic investment of $1.9B annually to recruit and educate over 27,000 new PSWs, RPNs and RNs to care for LTC residents. In response to today's announcement, WeRPN issued the following statement:
WeRPN applauds this historic investment and the government’s plan to create a modern, long-term care (LTC) system that delivers the best care possible to Ontario seniors. Ontario’s dedicated Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) working on the frontlines of care have sounded the alarm about the frailty of our LTC system for many years. Over the past several months, COVID-19 has further highlighted many of these longstanding issues. Today’s announcement is an important step in the right direction towards building a more robust LTC system with appropriate staffing levels to provide seniors with the quality of care and dignity they need and deserve. RPNs look forward to working with the government to realize this vision for care.
– Dianne Martin
CEO, WeRPN