The St. George Care Community long-term care home in Toronto on Jan 6.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Ontario’s long-term care minister says the province is putting $100 million toward adding 2,000 more nurses to the sector in the next few years.
Rod Phillips says it will support Ontario’s commitment to increasing direct care for long-term care residents to four hours a day, on average.
Phillips says he will introduce legislation Thursday to set long-term care standards.
One of the programs being funded by today’s announcement will provide up to $6,000 a year in tuition for personal support workers to become registered practical nurses, and up to $10,000 a year in tuition to registered practical nurses to become registered nurses.
Participants will have to commit to working in long-term care for the same time period as they receive the tuition supports.
As well, the government is aiming to increase access to nursing programs at publicly funded colleges.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.