Ontario auditor: at least 99 patients placed in LTC homes without their consent
At least 99 hospital patients in Ontario have been placed in long-term care homes without their consent, the province's auditor general has found.
Opposition politicians and seniors' advocates have roundly criticized a law the Progressive Conservative government enacted last year to enable those moves, which can see those patients placed in homes up to 70 kilometres away, or 150 kilometres if they are in northern Ontario.
The annual report from the auditor general's office this week said the government has not been transparent in implementing the law. It allows hospital placement co-ordinators to transfer those patients to a home not of their choosing, and can see them charged $400 a day if they refuse.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The law is aimed at moving so-called alternate level of care patients, who can be discharged from hospital but need a long-term care bed and don't yet have one, in order to free up hospital space.
The auditor general analyzed the placements of 7,357 alternate level of care patients between the law taking effect in September 2022 and March 31 of this year, and found that about 40 per cent were placed in their first-choice home.
About 60 per cent were placed in a home the patient had ranked lower on their list, a comparable percentage to before the new law was introduced, the auditor said.
But 99 patients were placed in homes that were selected by placement co-ordinators without the patient's consent, the report said.
"Despite the public's concerns over the new legislation, none of this information has been disclosed to the public to show when and how the new provisions were used," acting auditor general Nick Stavropoulos wrote in the report.
Further, the Ministry of Long-Term Care does not know how many patients — if any — have been charged since the law came into effect last year, because neither they, nor the Ministry of Health, nor Ontario Health, are tracking that, the auditor said.
NDP long-term care critic Wayne Gates said he wouldn't be surprised if no one has been charged the fees.
"I think there's so much of a threat of the $400 it intimidates families," he said. "I'm going to be honest, how many families can afford $400 a day?"
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said since the auditor's analysis ended in March, the actual number of patients placed without their consent could be "substantially" higher.
He said he is also concerned by the auditor's finding that the ministry is not monitoring outcomes of the alternate level of care patients once they are in long-term care.
"Given how controversial this bill is, and how disruptive a non-consensual placement would be for individuals themselves, their loved ones and caregivers, I just find it completely unacceptable that the ministry has failed to monitor those outcomes," he said.
"I know in my case, I have had some constituents reach out who have had non-consensual placements and it's been very disruptive for their family, for their caregivers, for the individuals themselves."
The auditor also said that the number of people admitted to long-term care homes with a particular emphasis on serving a certain cultural community has been declining, and the law could further exacerbate the issue.
Nicholas Tibollo, a spokesperson for Minister of Long-Term Care Stan Cho, said the co-ordinators must follow legislative requirements and a field guidance document in making placements.
"Placement coordinators must make reasonable efforts to obtain consent from the ALC patient or their substitute decision-maker," he wrote in a statement.
"The Act’s legislative provisions do not authorize the physical transfer of an ALC patient to a long-term care home without consent."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972157.1721587842!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.