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George Smitherman, Minister of Health, has responded to critics of proposed new rules for nursing homes, rejecting a demand to implement a mandatory hours of care per patient plan.
He said such a standard is an ill-advised, since it makes the incorrect assumption that each patient is equal when they are not. As an example, he says that if Mrs Jones is incontinent and Mrs Smith is not, then each would require different levels of care.
"The idea that you pretend everyone is the same and that they all need
three hours ... pretends that people are widgets. It's time for some
evolution in that thinking."
However, he is open to an average standard of care across the province, just not a minimum number of hours.
Critics are saying that nursing homes are underfunded, and patients are receiving substandard care because of it, even with recent funding increases by the government. It is hoped that by implementing these minimums there would also be additional funding and thus an increase in standards of care.
To read the full story in the Toronto Star article, click here.
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