(Queen’s Park – October 29, 2008) – Today, Progressive Conservative Health Critic, Elizabeth Witmer, launched a petition calling on the McGuinty government to enhance long-term care (LTC) since Premier McGuinty broke his 2003 campaign promise to “invest in better nursing home care” and provide an additional $6,000 in care for every resident.

“Five years of Liberal inaction has seriously restricted Ontario’s ability to meet the growing needs of the 77,000 seniors in long-term care homes.” said Witmer. “I remain deeply concerned by this. I believe our seniors deserve to live with dignity and respect. With the help of the people of Ontario, we will urge the McGuinty government to enhance care in nursing homes. That is why I am launching a SIX POINT PLAN to increase personal care in nursing homes.” added Witmer.

WITMER’S SIX POINT PLAN:

· A sector-wide staffing increase of 4,500 full-time positions within the next year.
· Expedite the redevelopment of Ontario’s 35,000 oldest LTC beds.
· Achieve an average of 3 worked hours of personal care, per day, within a year.
· Simplify the regulations which govern nursing homes.
· Produce a comprehensive plan with benchmarks to reduce LTC waitlists of more than 24,000 people.
· Address inflationary pressures by adequately funding the increased operating costs of LTC homes.

BACKGROUND:

· Ontario funds significantly less care for residents than Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
· Some 35,000 seniors are living in LTC beds which do not meet the more home-like design standards introduced in 1998.
· The average age of LTC residents is 83 years.
· Approximately 73% of LTC residents have some form of cognitive impairment or dementia.
· Nursing homes are short staffed.
· Hard working LTC staff are burdened by cumbersome government regulations.

PETITION:

All Ontarians are encouraged to sign Witmer’s petition, which is available online at: www.elizabethwitmermpp.ca and is also attached to this communiqué.

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For further information contact:
Elizabeth Witmer, MPP
(416) 325-1306