MARKHAM — The Ontario government is investing $3.74 million in skin and wound care training programs for 1,100 long-term care home staff, bringing residents faster, more convenient access to care, while reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital stays. The expanded program is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by investing in public services, including ensuring more seniors get the right care in the right place.
“Our government is improving the care that long-term care residents receive with strategic investments to train and upskill our long-term care workforce,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Having more staff trained in skin and wound care will support a better quality of life for residents and protect our health-care system by reducing unnecessary hospital visits.”
Earlier this year, Ontario announced $1 million in funding to Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) and Wounds Canada to deliver three education initiatives to train up to 400 long-term care staff. Building on the success of those programs, the government is now expanding funding to add a fourth training stream that will support up to 1,100 long-term care staff starting this winter through the following programs:
Long-term care homes are encouraged to contact NSWOCC and Wounds Canada directly to apply on behalf of their staff.
The government is fixing long-term care to ensure long-term care residents get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve, and a key part of that plan is to provide more clinical skills training to staff. The plan to improve care for residents is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.
"This investment in skin and wound care training will help staff provide faster, more effective support for long-term care residents, enhancing comfort and reducing unnecessary hospital visits. It's an important step by our government to ensure all residents receive the high-quality care they deserve."- Billy PangMPP for Markham—Unionville
"This investment in skin and wound care training will help staff provide faster, more effective support for long-term care residents, enhancing comfort and reducing unnecessary hospital visits. It's an important step by our government to ensure all residents receive the high-quality care they deserve."
- Billy PangMPP for Markham—Unionville
"We applaud the Ontario government for this investment in enhancing the skin and wound care knowledge of registered practical nurses and personal support workers, which demonstrates their commitment to quality improvement and sustainability. Through this action, the government is demonstrating their respect for the health and dignity of seniors living in Ontario."- Catherine HarleyCEO, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC)
"We applaud the Ontario government for this investment in enhancing the skin and wound care knowledge of registered practical nurses and personal support workers, which demonstrates their commitment to quality improvement and sustainability. Through this action, the government is demonstrating their respect for the health and dignity of seniors living in Ontario."
- Catherine HarleyCEO, Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC)
"Wounds Canada thanks the Ontario government for recognizing the vital role of competency-based education in strengthening skin health and wound care across Ontario’s long-term care sector. This investment equips care providers with the knowledge, skills and change management needed to improve resident outcomes. Funded, accredited evidence-based education is a crucial first step toward reducing preventable wounds and delivering timely, effective wound care for long-term care residents province-wide."- Mariam BotrosCEO, Wounds Canada
"Wounds Canada thanks the Ontario government for recognizing the vital role of competency-based education in strengthening skin health and wound care across Ontario’s long-term care sector. This investment equips care providers with the knowledge, skills and change management needed to improve resident outcomes. Funded, accredited evidence-based education is a crucial first step toward reducing preventable wounds and delivering timely, effective wound care for long-term care residents province-wide."
- Mariam BotrosCEO, Wounds Canada
"This investment reflects the importance of working together to ensure seniors receive the highest standard of care. Enhanced clinical training will help long-term care staff provide better specialized support, reducing avoidable hospital visits, supporting a better quality of life and strengthening the health and dignity of residents here in Markham."- Frank ScarpittiMayor of Markham
"This investment reflects the importance of working together to ensure seniors receive the highest standard of care. Enhanced clinical training will help long-term care staff provide better specialized support, reducing avoidable hospital visits, supporting a better quality of life and strengthening the health and dignity of residents here in Markham."
- Frank ScarpittiMayor of Markham
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Stuart OsborneOffice of the Minister of Long-Term CareStuart.Osborne@ontario.ca
Ministry of Long-Term Care Media LineCommunications BranchMLTC.Media@ontario.ca
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