Oneida Long Term Care Ctr. Update
Janice Doxtator, Councillor
The past year has been very active for the negotiating team and continues to be as we move to secure funding for the Long Term Care Home. We have been very successful with the Provincial Government in obtaining their contribution toward the capital and operating costs. Many community members, MP’s, MPP’s, and members of the LTC Association attended the function at the Oneida Community Centre last summer to greet Health Minister George Smitherman as he announced the approval of our 64 bed Long Term Care home in Oneida.Our negotiation team has met with Bruce Carson of the Prime Minister’s Office and he has acknowledged the dilemma that we face regarding our funding request concerning the jurisdiction of a Native Long Term Care Centre and whether or not it is a provincial responsibility or a federal responsibility. We have been assured that this project is still on his agenda and we hope to hear a decision shortly.
Oneida has spent the past 14 years working toward this venture and we will now see the 9.1 million dollar project through to fruition. This is a major accomplishment for Native seniors in this area and some commented that this is a dream come true for them. They will now be given quality care 24 hours per day, seven days per week by our own people while remaining within our community. It has been more than twenty years since the last LTC beds were awarded to a Native community. The closest home is in Ohsweken which currently has a waiting list of nearly two years for an available bed.
The LTC will provide sustainable employment for our community members and up to 96 positions will be created. Full-time and part-time positions include:
Administrator
Director of Resident Care
Registered Nurses
Registered Practical Nurses
Health Care Aides (Personal Support Workers, Health Care Aides, Nurses Assistants)
Director of Food and Support Services
Cooks
Dietary Aides
Dietary Students
Laundry Aides
Housekeeping Aides
Janitor
Director of Activities
Activation Aides
Student Activation Aides
Director of Property Services
Groundskeeper Student
Director of Administrative Services
Ward Clerk/Receptionist
As well, the LTC will provide for additional services such as Hairstylist/Barber, Country Store/Tuck Shop clerk, Coffee Shop clerk, Occupational Health Therapist, etc.
At a recent Council meeting, support was given to make these positions and training for certification a priority for the Employment and Training department. It is hoped that we can get our people certified and ready for employment prior to the grand opening scheduled for June 2009. The required courses are available through Fanshawe College and other institutions. If you are interested, now is a good time to start your career path and obtaining certification required for any of the LTC positions.
The Ministry requires that all new LTC beds open by the end of 2010. Oneida is projecting an opening of June 2009. Due to the delay in the approval process with the Ministry of Health our time lines were moved back by three months and we are now looking at ground breaking for June 2008. We recently received approval of our preliminary drawings from the Ministry of Health and have been given approval to proceed with the working drawings. So far we have been on target meeting our deadline dates with the Ministry and I will continue to ensure that we meet future submission dates. Attached is a copy of the preliminary drawings of the LTC for your perusal.
Janice Doxtator
