Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker says the lack of personal support worker standards is affecting frontline care.
Walker says the government has failed to address the issue during 13 years in power.
He says one in four people will soon become a senior, and frontline care needs to be a priority to ensure their safety and comfort.
“I’m deeply concerned that I continue to hear first-hand accounts from PSWs about the precarious working and living conditions at some long-term care homes, such as how one PSW is expected to look after 30 or 40 frail and sick residents,” he says. “It’s an impossible if not dangerous task.”
He add about half of Ontario's 100,000 PSW's are expected to retire in the next 15 years, when demand for them is expected to double.
MPP Walker adds that other provinces like Nova Scotia and BC have managed to put the safeguards in place and define their PSW standards.
“In contrast, the Liberal government of Ontario has only managed to squander $5-million on a defunct PSW registry," he says. “The ball is in the minister’s court. I expect the minister to take action to address this situation so that our 100,000 personal support workers can do their job."
