Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s long-term care (LTC) operators took unprecedented actions to protect residents against the devastating virus. Despite these efforts, the pandemic exposed gaps in the long-term care sector, both in British Columbia and across the country. This included long standing issues related to infection prevention and control, staffing and infrastructure.
Today, Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (B.C.), on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, announced an agreement with British Columbia to provide it with close to $134 million for Safe Long-term Care. This funding will support the improvement of infection prevention and control in British Columbia’s care homes by:
- Creating additional single-bed LTC rooms;
- Improving ventilation and air quality;
- Investing in mattresses and bed frames to help reduce wound pressure injuries and infections;
- Introducing easily cleaned furniture and fixtures to reduce the spread of disease; and
- Investing in cleaning, food services and medical supplies to reduce health risks.
This funding comes as part of the federal government’s previously announced Safe Long-Term Care Fund, which will see up to $1 billion allocated to support provinces and territories to improve infection prevention and control in long-term care.
“The Association is pleased to hear of this announcement and we anticipate this new federal funding can build upon previous provincial financial supports for training, recruitment and infection control and prevention,” says Terry Lake, CEO, BCCPA and EngAge BC. “These funds will begin to address some of the long-standing issues which our members have been facing, and ultimately help to strengthen care by improving the safety of residents and staff.”
Please click the link to see the Government of Canada’s official release.
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In the feature image above Burnaby-Mount Seymour MP Terry Beech is accompanied by BCCPA VP Mike Klassen, Burnaby city councillor Mike Hillman and members of the New Vista Society board.
