Thread by @UniforTheUnion

With a shocking look at the state of the #Ontario long-term care system, @AmitAryaMD tells #ORC22 that it isn't broken - it was designed this way.

The system must change.

#onpoli #unifor #LTC

"Long-term care should be a verb, an action, not a place." @AmitAryaMD says. Investment in home care should be a priority to relieve pressure on #LTC system & provide better quality of life to those who need it.

In Canada, we have austerity measures for long-term care, for seniors, and those with disabilities. Denmark spends twice per capita what we do and their system works.

#LTC homes are not necessarily in best interest of residents. We need to think innovatively. The pandemic showed how flawed the for-profit, outdated homes are. We are working with standards developed 30 years ago when LTC residents were healthier overall.

Residents used to drive themselves to LTC, whereas vast majority now arrive in ambulances. Staffing levels cannot keep up with this demand.
#ORC22

@AmitAryaMD highlights #Unifor's #6minutechallenge where the union - *pre-pandemic* - worked to draw attention to how little time workers are given to care for residents each day due to short-staffing.

"The conditions of work are the conditions of care" @AmitAryaMD says.
"We know the solutions and it's infuriating the government here has not improved working conditions. We need permanent upgrades to labour regulations. Not 'retention bonus'." #ORC22

"If you work in acute care, you make a significant amount more than in #LTC. We need to make sure people are paid the same no matter where they provide care." @AmitAryaMD #ORC22

"One in four residents have seven or more chronic conditions when they are admitted to #LTC." @AmitAryaMD "We have workers who have a lot of skill, but they need to be supported." #ORC22

"There is no mandatory palliative care rotation for many medical professions. This must change, especially considering the rapid aging of our population." @AmitAryaMD #ORC22

"The death rate in for-profit facilities was roughly 5 times higher, despite the same likelihood of an outbreak. Their fiduciary duty is not to their residents or to the workers, but to their shareholders. Most Canadians want to remove profit from #LTC system." @AmitAryaMD
#ORC22

"Why do we have 85% of #Ontario facilities that have broken the Long-Term Care Act?" @AmitAryaMD asks.

@ONgov is not doing enough to enforce standards of care. #LTC #ORC22

"One of the first steps is we should not be providing any new licensed to for-profit #LTC facilities. 64% of new facilities will be for-profit, which should not be happening." @AmitAryaMD #ORC22

"#Bill124 should be repealed.
I'm so worried about health worker shortage. You cannot replace a nurse with 20 years experience.
The @ONgov neglect of health care workers will take decades to repair." @AmitAryaMD #ORC22

"We can never go back to 2019. We need to change our entire society and health care system and we must demand justice." @AmitAryaMD #ORC22

Thank you, @AmitAryaMD