The following provides an overview of the purpose, structure and membership of the Long-Term Care Task Force on Resident Care and Safety. Updates on Task Force activities will be posted periodically on this site. For details on how to participate in the consultation go to Your Voice.
Background
In response to media reports of incidents of abuse and neglect in long-term care homes and underreporting of these incidents, the long-term care sector created a task force to examine and address these issues. The task force is independent of government and has broad representation from across the sector, including family and resident councils, nurses, physicians, personal support workers, unions, long-term care provider associations and advocates.
Mandate
To develop an action plan that examines and addresses the factors contributing to incidents of abuse or neglect in long-term care homes with the goal of helping to prevent these incidents, supporting a zero tolerance of abuse policy, continuing to advance a culture of openness and transparency in long-term care homes, and restoring public confidence that residents receive high quality care and are treated with dignity and respect. The action plan will be shared with the public.
Consultation
- The task force will invite submissions from residents, family members, staff, volunteers and other interested stakeholders.
- The task force will seek further advice from selected subject matter and industry experts on best practices and related issues.
Task Force Objectives
- Gain a thorough understanding of: i) the factors that contribute to the safety and quality of care of residents in long-term care homes; and ii) solutions that will help prevent incidents where residents are not treated with care, dignity and respect.
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Promote an environment of openness, safety and quality in long-term care by:
- Identifying actions to prevent incidents of abuse or neglect that are within the control of operators as well as actions that require assistance from government, LHINs or other organizations to execute.
- Identifying actions that will result in appropriate and timely reporting of incidents of disrespectful behaviour, bullying, abuse and/or neglect by residents, families, staff, visitors and/or volunteers.
Deliverables
The Task Force is expected to complete its Action Plan by the end of April, 2012. The plan will be made public shortly thereafter.
Members
| Dr. Gail Donner, External Chair | Dean and Professor Emerita, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto |
| Dr. Phyllis Hymmen | Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities |
| Diane Sheldon | Family Member |
| Maria Elias | Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors |
| Donna Rubin | Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors |
| Donna Fairley | Ontario Association of Residents' Councils |
| Lorraine Purdon | Ontario Family Councils Program |
| Gail Paech | Ontario Long-Term Care Association |
| Dan Kaniuk | Ontario Long-Term Care Association |
| Dr. Evelyn Williams | Ontario Long Term Care Physicians |
| Terri Kay | Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse |
| Bev Mathers | Ontario Nurses' Association |
| Tanya Bultje | Personal Support Network of Ontario; Personal Support Worker Ontario |
| Josie Santos | Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario |
| Beth McCracken | Registered Practical Nurses' Association of Ontario |
| Sharron Cooke | Resident |
| Sharleen Stewart | Service Employees International Union |
