Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra said at the legislature that his deputy minister has formed a technical advisory committee to examine the issue in response to queries about price gouging by nursing agencies.
“I do understand the challenges with agency staffing in long-term-care homes,” Calandra said in question period.
“It is something that I’ve been hearing from our stakeholders.”
Two weeks ago, the long-term care association that represents Ontario’s non-profit homes said they were being overcharged by nursing agencies.
The association said nursing agencies were “gouging” its homes.
“Some temporary staffing agencies are taking advantage of a crisis in our sector. It’s a major problem that is getting worse.”
She said the exorbitant fees are undermining care.
“Government must take urgent action to control exploitative agencies,” she said. “That includes putting restrictions on hourly rates for temporary staff in LTC homes.”
He also wants to hear from the staffing agencies and to review what other jurisdictions are doing.
Competition for nurses and personal support workers across the province remains fierce as the health-care system grapples with a severe staffing shortage.
Nurses and personal support workers are generally paid lowest in home care, more in long-term care and highest in hospitals.
