It’s appalling basic standards of care aren’t enforced

Re LTC homes that violate rules rarely face orders to

comply, Nov. 9 The Toronto Star has again shone a light on one of the darker recesses of Ontario’s long-termcare system — inspections and the fact that they are almost useless.

To have allowed the kinds of conditions outlined in the Star article proves that the Ministry’s inspection system is not working for the people it is intended to protect.

What are we paying for if this kind of abuse is allowed to continue in these facilities?

Why can the government not get a handle on bringing the worst operators under control?

Is the real issue as stated, that they cannot enforce the law because to do so would mean stopping admissions and revoking licences, but they have nowhere for the people to go?

How appalling that in Ontario in 2020 a government would not be able to enforce basic standards of care in these facilities so that residents are not harmed or die in them from neglect and abuse.

If they cannot bring them under control, perhaps the answer is to eliminate them.

Other places do not rely nearly as heavily on these kinds of facilities and keep a great many more seniors in the community.

Surely this government can fund the right kind of support to keep people in their homes, and, if that is not possible, at least in small non-profit homes in their own communities.

How hard would that be? It’s safer and better for everyone. Mary Richardson, Toronto