Health Canada launches consultations to improve long-term care

Marc G. Serré, the MP for Nickel Belt shared the launch of public online consultations to support the development of a Safe Long-Term Care (LTC) Act.

Serré’s riding includes West Nipissing.

The development of the Safe LTC Act complements the federal government’s ongoing work with provinces and territories to help support improvements in home and community care, including palliative care, and LTC, according to a news release from the MP’s office.

The online consultation invites Canadians, including LTC residents and their families, to share their perspectives and expertise on how to improve the quality and safety of LTC, foster the implementation of the LTC standards, address human resources challenges, and strengthen accountability in the LTC sector.

This feedback will help inform the drafting of the legislation.

Health Canada recently launched this new consultation tool, asking Canadians to support the development of new standards for long-term care in Canada. The government is seeking input and opinions from Canadians on what they believe are the key concerns for the delivery of long-term care services, including:

• Seniors 
• Persons with disabilities
• Caregivers (family/friends)
• Health, social and community care and service providers or volunteers
• Groups working with or representing older adults, persons with disabilities, Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) communities, newcomers, cultural communities, official language minority communities, Indigenous communities, etc.
• Researchers and academics
• All other interested Canadians and organizations

Health Canada said in a July 21 news release the development of a new law for long-term care is part of a federal commitment to support senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Health Canada said this follows the release of two independent LTC standards from CSA Group and the Health Standards Organization (HSO), “which provide guidance for delivering services that are safe, reliable and — most importantly — centred on residents’ needs.”

Health Canada said creating a new law falls in line with the creation of improved standards for long-term care and it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Canadians in every province witnessed the failure of long-term care homes to provide safe and adequate care for thousands of senior citizens.

“In the wake of the newly released LTC standards, for which the Government of Canada contributed close to $850,000 to develop a robust consultation strategy, this important legislation will aim to help foster advancements of the quality and safety in LTC services across the country.”

The government recognizes the majority of Canadians, as they grow older, want to be closer to home and family and they expect and deserve long-term care they need to be high quality and safe.

“Budget 2023 outlined the government’s plan to provide close to $200 billion over 10 years in funding to provinces and territories to improve health care services for Canadians. Helping Canadians age with dignity at home with access to home care or in a safe long-term care (LTC) facility is one of the shared priorities of this funding,” said Health Canada.

The development of the Safe LTC Act complements the Government’s ongoing work with provinces and territories to help support improvements in home and community care, including palliative care, and in LTC. This includes creating an expert panel to provide recommendations for supporting home and community care, as well as ensuring quality, safe, and respectful care for seniors and persons with disabilities in LTC homes across Canada, said the release. 

According to Health Canada, participation in the process can be achieved through this online survey, via email to [email protected] or by sending a letter through Canada Post to the following address.

The consultation period runs until September 21.

With files from Sudbury.com