Two organizations representing Northern Ontarians are pleased with the provincial government’s decision to announce an imminent increase to long-term care beds.
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities alongside the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are pleased that the government will be committing to 5,000 new long-term care beds by 2022.
The Liberal government’s Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors, outlined that there will be over 30,000 beds to come in the next decade.
FONOM President Alan Spacek says they are pleased the government is moving forward and taking action to increase the number of beds.
Spacek says Northern Ontario is feeling the effects of an aging population more unreasonably than the rest of the province, so they hope to see their fair share.
President of NOMA Wendy Landry echoed those ideas saying northerners have been advocating for a commitment like this for too long.
Wendy says the ability to age in your own community, surrounded by family and friends enhances a patient’s outcome.
Both FONOM and NOMA are encouraging their membership to submit proposals to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care regarding the subject.
