HALIFAX/EAST HANTS: The province is investing more than $3.5 million in workplace safety training and equipment for staff in continuing care, as well as offering more diverse programming for individuals in long-term care.
The Health Care Human Resource Sector Council will administer $2 million for workplace safety training and educational opportunities. AWARE-NS will administer about $1.5 million for the purchase of equipment that improves the safety of workers providing care.
“We are committed to doing better for Nova Scotians living in long-term care,” said Zach Churchill, Minister of Health and Wellness. “These investments are about putting people at the centre of care with a focus on strengthening and expanding the workforce, enhancing the physical and mental well-being of individuals in long-term care and developing programs that better meet individual needs.”
Organizations in the continuing care sector can start applying online Wednesday, May 26, at: https://hcsc.ca/training-fund-submission-form/ and https://awarens.ca/safety-equipment-fund/ .
Premier Iain Rankin and Minister Churchill met with key stakeholders earlier today, May 25, to discuss investments in continuing care and gather input into sector changes.
More than $1 billion was announced in this year’s budget to enhance supports for residents and staff in continuing care. In addition to workplace safety training and equipment, investments include the hiring of clinical nurses to spearhead infection prevention and control efforts, primary care coverage, and the design and launch of a pilot on specialized programming for younger adults living in long-term care.
Quotes:
“The department’s contributions continue to be core to VON’s implementation of a new and robust safety management system. Their investment in equipment and training has had an important impact for our front line in Nova Scotia. More than that, their partnership in the development of this program has been a key driver of its success over the past two years.”
– Jo-Anne Poirier, president and CEO, VON Canada
Quick Facts:
— $1 million has been invested in technology, including the purchase of 800 iPads and expanded Wi-Fi access in facilities
— more than $5 million has been committed to date to implement recommendations of Workplace Safety: Charting the Course, a 2018 report on workplace safety in Nova Scotia’s home care, long-term care and disability support sectors
— in 2019, the Minister’s Expert Panel on Long-Term Care made 22 recommendations on how to improve the quality of long-term care in the province
— $27.8 million has been committed this year to address the panel’s recommendations
— six recommendations are now complete and work on all others is underway
— Government is working with seniors, families and sector stakeholders in the creation of a new five-year continuing care strategy: Blueprint for Change – A Transformation of the Continuing Care Sector; $2 million is being invested in this work
Additional Resources:
Budget documents 2021-2022: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/budget-documents-2021-2022
Workplace Safety: Charting the Course: https://wcb.ns.ca/Portals/wcb/Workplace_Safety_Report_Final_June7.pdf?ver=2018-06-29-085548-870
Report and recommendations from the Expert Panel on Long-Term Care: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/publications/Minister-Expert-Advisory-Panel-on-Long-Term-Care.pdf
