Reports on Long-Term Care Pandemic Response

The Office of the Auditor General (AG) of Ontario released a special report on Pandemic Readiness and Response in Long-Term Care. It is the result of an initiated audit which sought to assess whether the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the long-term-care homes were sufficiently positioned, prepared, and equipped to respond to the issues created by the pandemic in an effective and expedient way.

The general conclusion reached by the AG is that they were not. It was also concluded that the Province implemented several measures to deal with the impact of COVID-19. However, some unintended consequences on the homes’ residents and staff further contributed to crowding and staffing shortages. The AG has provided 16 recommendations. The Province has responded that it will consider them along with other recommendations from other sources.

The independent Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission has announced that it will provide its report to the Ministry of Long-Term Care this week by April 30, 2021. After this it will be up to the government to release the report publicly. AMO provided a written submission and testimony to the Commission.

Ontario’s Ombudsman is also expected to issue a report at some point based on its own investigation.

Once the reports have been released, AMO will send a members’ communication with explanation of each and analysis of the implications.

AMO’s COVID-19 Resources page is being updated continually so you can find critical information in one place.  Please send any of your municipally related pandemic questions to covid19@amo.on.ca.