Province urged to act now to end PSW shortages

By Tami Jeanneret

Published: January 31, 2020 at 10:56 AM

Caregiver, carer hand holding elder hand woman in hospice care. Philanthropy kindness to disabled concept.Public Service Recognition WeekiStock/Pornpak Khunatorn

A local MPP is calling on the Ford government to address the shortage of PSWs in the province.

A local MPP is calling on the Ford government to address the shortage of PSW's in the province.

St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens pointing to a new report from the Ontario Health Coalition that reveals over the last decade, the number of support hours for residents in long term care homes has dropped in part due to a shortage of trained personal support workers.

Natalie Mehra with the OHC says these workers are on the front line of care and are the ones who wake up residents, make sure they are bathed, and reposition them to make sure they don't get bedsores.

Meanwhile, Niagara West Conservative MPP Sam Oosterhoff confirms there are shortages.

He says the government is working to get more people into PSW college courses and are also trying to ensure PSW's don't burn out on the job and quit

But he acknowledges there are challenges noting long term care homes are also faced with a growing population of seniors who require more advanced care.