McGuinty promises to do 'better job' in Ontario nursing homes

'These are our moms and our dads and our grandparents.'

Toronto (11 July 2008) - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has promised to do a "better job" in Ontario nursing homes after a survey by The Canadian Press revealed that three-quarters of all such institutions fail to meet provincial standards.

"These are our moms and our dads and our grandparents," McGuinty said this week. "Ask yourselves, on an individual basis, what kind of a quality of life do you want for them? I think we want the best for them. We've got to do a better job."

The premier said the province is now spending more than $1 billion more on long-term care and has hired thousands of nurses. Yet a significant challenge remains.

"We're going to continue to hire thousands more people who can work in those homes," he said. "We've got more work to do."

The survey found that widespread violations of some 400 standards set by the province for nursing home care. Some institutions were cited for failing to bathe residents twice a week or provide a toothbrush.

Ontario ombudsman Andre Marin is asking people to contact him and share their experiences while he prepares to launch a full-scale probe into whether the government is doing enough to hold nursing home operators to account.

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