Ontario proposes changes to long-term care home rules. Here’s what was tabled

The Ford government is looking to modify some rules governing long-term care homes, including loosening the guidelines surrounding who can hand out medication to residents.

The proposed changes were shared on Friday. If adopted, it would allow personal support workers to administer non-controlled drugs to residents — a position that registered nurses and doctors primarily hold.

In a statement to CityNews, the Ministry of Long-Term Care framed the move as an extension of services already provided.

“PSWs may already administer non-controlled substances in long-term care homes under a provision of the current regulation, which expires on April 11, 2023,” wrote Jake Roseman, a spokesperson for Minister Paul Calandra.

“The proposed regulatory changes will permit PSWs who have received training in the administration of drugs and who have been authorized by a member of the registered nursing staff to administer drugs to residents where it is not a controlled act or controlled substance. This policy follows the lead of other care settings, including congregate care and retirement homes.”

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Some who advocate for those living in Ontario long-term care homes are concerned about expanding those duties to personal support workers.

“The fear that I’m hearing from families is it’s going to very potentially lead to medication errors and injury,” said Vivian Stamatopoulos, a long-term care advocate and researcher.

The proposed amendments would also compel long-term care homes to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of immunizations that must be offered to residents. The vaccines would not be mandatory.

The Ford government is also looking to administer larger fines on long-term care homes that don’t have air conditioning. Ontario LTC homes that are not compliant with the province’s requirements could face fines of up to $25,000.

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“The Ministry of Long-Term Care has worked with licensees on air conditioning since the summer of 2020, and 591 homes (over 94 per cent) are now fully air-conditioned,” said Roseman. “In anticipation of the coming summer season, we want all homes to know that we are serious about getting these important upgrades done.”

Job qualification rules would also be adjusted for those working in food preparation. The current regulations that require cooks and other food service workers to hold minimum levels of education are being scrapped.

All the proposed changes are supported by the Ontario Long Term Care Association, which represents nearly 70 per cent of the province’s LTC homes.

“The regulations are part of the ongoing evolution of enhancing the quality of care and quality of life for residents in long-term care homes and are additional steps towards transforming long-term care that foster prolonged local partnerships,” said CEO Donna Duncan.

“They support flexibility and partnerships that homes are forging with hospitals, primary care, pharmacists, paramedics, other health care professionals, and community partners to meet the needs of the people they serve.”

Despite the proposed changes, some critics insist the state of Ontario’s long-term care system needs substantial improvement, particularly when it comes to preventing the spread of viruses like COVID-19.

“We still have ongoing outbreaks, often in the repeat bad actor homes who, for some reason up to this point, still can’t figure out infection prevention and control,” said Stamatopoulos.

“The homes get effectively shut down, then it limits the freedoms and rights of these residents, and it’s tough for them to live in that ongoing state of flux and confinement.”