Media Advisory: The time for care standard in legislation for long-term care residents, is "now"

HAMILTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 14, 2016) - Following tragic stories coming from several Ontario long-term care homes this month, there's a renewed scrutiny on resident care quality and safety and "urgency make a daily 4 hour resident care standard the law," say advocates.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2016 care providers and residents' family advocates are holding a media conference to make the case for the need to make a minimum of four hours daily care for long-term care residents the law in Ontario.

Media are invited to join the meeting for a media conference at 10 a.m. the Art Gallery of Hamilton - Fischer Gallery, 123 King Street West (Hamilton). Media conference participants include:

• Tom Carrothers, Chair Advocacy Committee of Family Councils.
• Candace Rennick, Secretary-Treasurer Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario and former long-term care worker.
• Heather Neiser (Hamilton area personal support worker).

There is no doubt say Hamilton area personal support workers, registered practical nurses and others working on the front lines in long-term, along with residents' families, that the crisis in care quality and staffing is real.

Backed by solid academic research and new proposed legislation (Bill 33, The Time to Care Act), that if passed would mandate a daily standard, there is "renewed pressure on the Ontario government to act. We encourage the health minister to support a legislated care standard. Residents, their families and front line staff urge you to do the right thing, and make 4 hours daily care for residents a reality," says Rennick.