Ontario Ombudsman office to investigate long-term care homes

The Ontario Ombudsman Office said Monday they are launching an investigation into the government’s oversight of long-term care homes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ontario Ombudsman is an independent, non-partisan arm of the Ontario Legislature that investigates complaints from the public involving government bodies including ministries, crown agencies, municipalities, universities, and school boards.

Ombudsman Paul Dubé said in a news release he is launching the investigation after last week’s report from the Canadian Armed Forces detailing shocking conditions inside some of the facilities.

“Mr. Dubé said he is invoking his authority to investigate on his own initiative – without receiving complaints – in light of the grave concerns raised by COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes across the province, and the report last week by Canadian military personnel that revealed shocking conditions in five such homes,” the release said.

Both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care have complaint and inspection branches — however, the Ombudsman oversees both of those ministries.

The investigation team will look at standards and practices within both ministries.

“They will look at complaint handling, inspections carried out by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, emergency planning, steps taken to support long-term care homes during the COVID-19 crisis, collection of data on coronavirus cases, rates of infection and deaths in long-term care, and communication with long-term care home residents, staff and the public,” they said.

The Ombudsman added there is “no set time frame on the investigation” and “it will proceed as efficiently as circumstances permit.”

Premier Doug Ford said he welcomes the investigation.

“I need answers,” he said. “I want answers. We need to get this fixed and we’re going to get this fixed.”

Ford has also said Ontario has launched a “full investigation” into the allegations in the military report and will share the results with police so they can look into any possible criminal charges.

The Ministry of Long Term Care reported on Monday there are 112 outbreaks in those facilities.  Public Health Ontario is reporting 181 outbreaks.

In terms of the number of deaths at long-term care facilities, Public Health Ontario reported on Monday 1,445 people have died.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care reported Monday that 1,648 people have died in long-term care – a discrepancy attributed to a lag in reported deaths.

Official Opposition welcomes ombudsman investigation, calls for end of for-profit care homes

The leader of the Official Opposition said she’s glad the Ombudsman is going ahead with the investigation.

“I welcome the unprecedented news that Ontario’s Ombudsman is taking the initiative, on his own authority, to investigate the work of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long Term Care in Ontario’s long-term care homes,” NDP leader Andrea Horwath said in a news release on Monday afternoon.

Horwath added that a judicial public inquiry is needed and called for the end of for-profit care homes.

“While we’re hopeful this report can provide some answers and accountability, the Official Opposition believes a comprehensive, find-and-fix judicial public inquiry is necessary to evaluate the very foundations of the long-term care system in Ontario,” she said. “We believe that’s the only way we’ll spark the overhaul that’s needed — which we believe should include getting for-profit corporations out of long-term care.”

With files from The Canadian Press