Provincial plan leads to more staff for Pioneer Manor

Workers and residents at Pioneer Manor in Sudbury stand to benefit from a provincial plan to make life safer in the city's long-term care facility.

Six staff are being hired through the Behavioural Support Ontario plan. The workers are permanent and their salaries are funded by the Northeastern Ontario Local Health Integration Network.

“There is no cost to the municipality,” said Catherine Matheson, the city's general manager of community development, at the May 1 city council meeting. “This is a great news story for Pioneer Manor. This is 100 per cent funded by the Northeast LHIN."

Pioneer Manor is home to about 200 residents who have behavioural issues. In 2011 alone, there were 52 reported incidents of physical aggression toward staff, some leading to injury. 

The six new staff will specialize in training co-workers how best to handle residents who suffer from mental issues and are at risk for aggressive behaviour.

The new staff will include three nurses and three health-care aids.

“Logic would dictate that if we can minimize behavourial problems,” there will be fewer attacks on staff, Matheson said.

Ward 7 Coun. Dave Kilgour supported the move, but wondered what would happen if the province cuts the budget or eliminates the program.

Matheson replied that the city wouldn't be obligated to keep the new hires and they likely would be laid off if the funding is cut.

In addition to annual base funding of $312,722, Pioneer Manor also received one-time funding of $7,124 for startup costs.

The Behaviour Supports Ontario project aims to improve the lives of long-term care home residents with cognitive impairments due to complex mental health problems, addictions and dementia.

The $40-million provincial program includes $440,900 for the North East LHIN this year and $2.64 million on an annual basis.

Posted by Arron Pickard