Ministry of Long-Term Care pledges $3.7M for training more than a thousand nursing home staff on the best way to improve skin and wound care for patients
The province is spending $3.7 million to address a concern that has been identified as a problem in long-term care homes by training more people to provide specialized skin and wound care.
The Ministry of Long-Term Care said the investment is for skin and wound care training programs for 1,100 long-term care home staff designed to bring faster and more convenient access to resident care, while reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital stays, said a ministry news release.
Due to age, health conditions and chronic illnesses, long-term care residents are more susceptible to skin and wound issues, said the release.
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, said the release.
Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta said the aim of the initiative is to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents.
“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 Kusendova-Bashta.
“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 ministry 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:
Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) program for 150 diploma-trained registered nurses and practical nurses.
PSW and Caregiver Skin Health course for 600 personal support workers.
Accredited Wound Care Champion program for 150 regulated health professionals.
Skin Health Program for Personal Care Providers for 200 personal support workers.
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, said the ministry news release.
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, said the release.