Proposed changes to "G21-P033 Universal Long-Term Care and Establishing National Standards | VGM-2 Amended Version"

Original Submitter Name

Annamie Paul

Amended by Kim Hughes, BSR, OT, Registered Occupational Therapist

Reason for the Amendments:

I support adding Long Term Care to the Canada Health Act, and establishing national standards of care.

While I support the funding of universal long term care to ensure access for all, I do not support ending all privately funded facility care, as referenced in the original motion by the words \"end for-profit care\".

I do support a process of transitioning to shared funding, responsibility, and governance, similar to that which exists and functions well within our education systems.

Arguments for the Amendments:

Long Term Care is more than facility care. Long Term Care provides services to all ages of adults across a broad continuum from someone living in their own home to someone living in Facility.  

Many private facilities work hard to provide and adhere to high standards of quality care. Many private facilities are operated by faith, cultural and special interest groups, who desire to retain operational oversight which respects their residents’ philosophy of living, and contributes to their quality of life. And many of these are operated as non-profit charitable organizations.

I propose a single combined policy with G21-P032:

\"Recognizing that access to universal health care is a right, guaranteed at every stage of life, the GPC seeks to

1. include Long Term Care in the Canada Health Act and
2. establish National Standards of Care for all persons across the continuum of care; including extended care, assisted living, supportive housing, group homes, and persons cared for in their own place of residence.

National Standards should be developed by a team of experts in the field, and could include: 

·        Increasing the scope and funding of all long-term care programs,

·        Encouraging shared governance and co-funding of private facilities,

·        Improving access to paid and unpaid care-giver training,

·        Facilitating the accessibility of buildings and connected outdoor spaces,

·        Providing adequate PPE and adaptive equipment to ensure safety for all,

·        Improving front line employee remuneration, conditions of employment, employee benefits, and employee to resident ratios, and

·        Conducting unbiased, third-party inspections, at regular intervals to ensure adherence to national standards. 

Annamie's original arguments can remain as follows:

Objective

Canada’s existing patchwork of long-term care (LTC) has structural flaws. In recognition of this, and also of LTC’s clear role as an essential medical service, there is a need to establish universal public funding of LTC, strict regulations enforcing national standards, and a transition to shared funding, responsibility and governance for all privately funded facilities.

Benefit

Universal health care is a right and must be guaranteed at every stage of life. A universal LTC co-funding and governance model for privately funded facilities has the best potential for ensuring quality of care for residents and upholding national standards.

Supporting Comments from Submitter

N/A

Green Value(s)

Sustainability, Social Justice

Relation to Existing Policy

Add to current GPC policy