Ontario’s ombudsman launched an investigation Wednesday into the

way the province monitors its nursing homes. Andre Marin says he

plans to look into the way the Liberal government enforces its standards,

and whether those standards are appropriate.

The announcement came on the heels of media reports that

found three-quarters of the province’s facilities weren’t meeting

targets set by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

The standards include regulations on cleanliness, care and safety.

The report found that in seniors in some homes have died while

physically restrained. In others, residents have been left in soiled

diapers for hours.

He would like the power to directly investigate conditions inside

seniors’ homes but the government refuses to change his mandate

to allow it, he said.

“For 33 years, six ombudsmen in a row have complained this is an

area that has been overlooked,” he said.

About 75,000 people live in Ontario’s 622 long-term care facilities.

Marin’s report will be completed within the next six months.

July 16, 2008