The Ministry of Long Term Care released a long term care staffing study in July 2020 which stated, “While the demand for long -term care and resident acuity have increased year over year, staffing levels and access to training have not kept a corresponding pace”. Further, the s tudy also stated that action must to be taken to:

• Urgently address the staffing crisis in long-term care;

• Make long-term care homes a better place to live and work; and

• Implement staffing approaches that reflect and respond to the complexity of the sector and diverse resident needs.

On September 11, 2020, communication was received from Richard Steele Deputy Minister, Ministry of Long- Term Care reminding long term care homes that, “ Ensuring the provision of required staffing is ultimately the responsibility of the licensee and I ask that you continue to do what you can to address this most pressing need.”

Huron Lodge conducted a comprehensive analysis of needs for resident care based on assessments, data received from staff and external stakeholders, and in alignment with new directives and orders from the Ministry during the pandemic. Based on this analysis, the highest and most needed direct resident care asset was staffing.

AdvantAge Ontario, the provincial long term care association, issued a number of recommendations which, among others, call for the attraction and retention of staff in the sector and supporting the social and emotional well-being of staff and residents.

The Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission issued a letter to Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care with 11 early recommendations for the sector that focused on staffing, collaborative relationships, and infection prevention and control (IPAC).

“We have heard repeatedly and consistently about critical staffing shortages pre -COVID and the reasons for long-standing recruitment and retention challenges in long-term care homes. The staffing challenges have been well documented with numerous reports on the subject. Covid- 19 exposed these challenges in stark terms.” In addition, the Commission recommended the following:

1. In addition to increasing the supply of PSWs, ensure that LTC staff recruitment efforts address the requirement for an appropriate staff mix to meet the increasing acuity and complex care needs of residents.

2. While all witnesses agreed on the need for staffing flexibility given the 24/7 nature of homes’ operations, more full -time positions must be created to ensure staffing stability and retention, and resident continuity of care.

Based on the assessed and fully funded need for direct resident care at Huron Lodge, and in consideration of orders and recommendations, to mitigate risk to residents and the corporation, Huron Lodge is bringing forward this report in an expedited manner outside of the regular budgetary process for Council’s consideration.

To immediately stabilize the workforce, Huron Lodge is requesting the following positions: