Newmarket long-term care home receives $3.2 million from province to hire more staff

The Newmarket Health Centre will receive $3.2 million from the provincial government to hire additional staff at its long-term care home. The funding comes as part of a nearly $100-million investment in York Region and a provincewide annual funding increase of $1.92 billion for long-term care.

The Region of York's Newmarket Health Centre is receiving $3.2 million from the provincial government to hire additional staff at its long-term care home. The allocation is part of a nearly $100-million investment in York Region and accompanies the province's record $1.92 billion in annual funding for long-term care. Officials and association representatives noted the funding builds on a previous $4.9 billion four-year staffing plan. Local and provincial leaders described the money as intended to help attract and retain nurses and personal support workers. Key details: - The Newmarket centre at 194 Eagle St. is reported to be receiving $3.2 million to support hiring at the long-term care home. - The funding is part of a nearly $100-million package for York Region and a reported $1.92 billion annual funding increase for long-term care across the province. - Officials said on average residents are now receiving more than four hours of care per day from nurses and personal support workers, about an hour more than in 2021. - The provincial announcement referenced a prior $4.9 billion four-year staffing plan that officials said helped add more than 16,000 personal support workers and nurses. - Local officials including MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy and Regional chair Eric Jolliffe acknowledged the funding, and representatives such as Donna Duncan and Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta commented on the broader investment. Summary: Officials say the funding is designated to support hiring and retention of nurses and personal support workers and to increase direct care available to residents. Specific local staffing timelines were not provided in the report, and implementation details were not outlined. Undetermined at this time.