Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, announced this week that the Ontario government is investing an additional $830,100 to increase prevention and containment efforts at local long-term care homes in the area. The new funding will reduce the risk of the virus from entering long-term care homes from the community by covering eligible expenses related to an immediate 24/7 health checkpoint to confirm staff and essential caregivers entering the building are properly screened for COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure, and to continue screening residents on an ongoing basis to support early detection and containment of any new infections. Local long term care facilities include those in Strathroy, Watford, Parkhill, Komoka, Ailsa Craig and Delaware. Here is a complete list of funding for area facilities.
Homes in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex receiving additional funding during the second wave include:
Babcock Community Care Centre in Wardsville is receiving an additional $39,000, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $387,000.
Chartwell Parkhill Long Term Care Residence is receiving an additional $35,200, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $283,800.
Country Terrace is receiving an additional $158,700, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $831,700.
Craigholme in Ailsa Craig is receiving an additional $78,500, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $528,500.
Fairfield Park in Wallaceburg is receiving an additional $93,300, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $395,700.
Middlesex Terrace in Delaware is receiving an additional $117,600, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $493,600.
North Lambton Lodge is receiving an additional $67,200, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $349,400.
Oneida Nation of the Thames Long-Term Care Home is receiving an additional $28,500 bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $277,100.
Sprucedale Care Centre in Strathroy is receiving an additional $70,000, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $625,400.
Strathmere Lodge in Strathroy is receiving an additional $102,500, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $545,200.
Watford Quality Care Centre is receiving an additional $39,600, bringing the total prevention and containment support since the start of the pandemic to $391,800.
To address long-standing staffing challenges, the government has launched one of the largest recruitment and training drives in the province’s history, to deliver on its commitment to provide an average of four hours of daily direct care for residents. This will make Ontario the Canadian leader in the provision of care. To implement its staffing plan, Ontario is increasing annual investments, culminating in $1.9 billion contributed annually by 2024-25, to create more than 27,000 new positions for personal support workers, registered nurses and registered practical nurses in long-term care.