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But some of those changes could worsen the situation, said Meadus.

The changes amend a number of provincial long-term care regulations during the pandemic, including staffing, staff training, administration of drugs and reporting complaints.

Notably, it states long-term care homes “may fill any staff position with the person who, in their reasonable opinion, has the adequate skills, training and knowledge to perform the duties required of that position.” It also suspends the need to meet minimum staffing hours, which could mean, for example, that long-term care homes are no longer required to have a registered nurse on staff 24 hours a day, “provided all the care requirements associated with that position are met.”

The changes also say long-term care homes are not required to immediately alter care plans when something has changed. Meadus said that could mean changes to medication, wound care or something else. “If you don’t put it in the care plan, it is not going to get done.”

Levin said the changes allow staff to focus on caring for residents. The changes do not alter the responsibility of long-term care homes to ensure a safe and secure environment for residents, according to the amended regulations.

But the changes, including potentially having inexperienced, untrained staff working in homes during a period of medical crisis, could make the situation worse, she said.

Staff shortages have meant that trained personal support workers and other staff are already having difficulty at long-term care homes because of a lack of time to do their work and a lack of supervision, Meadus said. Putting untrained staff in that situation, during a pandemic, is a recipe for more serious problems.

Meanwhile, long-term care homes are facing shortages of masks and other personal protective gear, something provincial officials say they need.

The long-term care sector has long faced a staffing crisis, in part because the work is difficult and, for nurses, the pay does not compete with hospitals.

“I know why they are doing it, because there are no workers,” said Meadus. “We already knew we were in a crisis around PSW (personal support worker) staffing. This is just adding to that.”

Meadus said she worries there will be more Bobcaygeons.

epayne@postmedia.com