Grey County Long-Term Care Committee of Management Meeting Transcript — May 19, 2026

00:00:00 Speaker 01: Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend.

00:00:00 Speaker 01: We'll call this long-term care committee of management meeting to order at one o'clock on May the nineteenth.

00:00:01 Speaker 01: So to begin with, our first report is the LTCRCM, ten twenty-six, long-term care director update.

00:00:02 Speaker 01: We received for information.

00:00:02 Speaker 01: Can I have a mover, please, to get it on the floor?

00:00:03 Speaker 01: Moved by Shirley.

00:00:03 Speaker 01: and seconded by Sue Carlton.

00:00:03 Speaker 01: Go ahead, Jen.

00:00:03 Speaker 01: Welcome.

00:00:03 Speaker 01: Great, thank you, Chair Mackey, and good afternoon, everyone.

00:00:04 Speaker 01: So this is the director's update for the period of March first to April thirtieth, twenty twenty-six, and I'm going to highlight just a few areas of note.

00:00:05 Speaker 01: But if there's questions on anything that I don't address, please feel free to ask.

00:00:06 Speaker 01: So in terms of ministry, updates, the Ministry of Long Term Care has confirmed two additional long stay beds in each eligible long term care home have been designated as reunification priority access beds, and I just wanted to highlight this because this is an important method for the ministry to support individuals in reuniting with their spouses or partners in long term care.

00:00:09 Speaker 01: In long-term care.

00:01:04 Speaker 02: In terms of, and then there's a an update about the ministry reaching their goal for hiring nurse practitioners in long-term care.

00:01:42 Speaker 02: We held the first quarter virtual family call, and there's a link there if you wish to go and have a look. It was pre-recorded on March 10th, providing an overview of the ministry updates, an update on. the improving dementia care program at Lee Manor, as well as an overview of the 2025 annual report and the 2025 BSTU report. There's been a number of financial updates from the Ministry of Long Term Care.

00:02:11 Speaker 02: So, in an effort to streamline the various little bundles of funding, the ministry has—I jumped ahead—but the ministry has announced the amalgamation.

00:02:13 Speaker 02: of of staffing investment programs into the level of care funding envelope.

00:02:13 Speaker 02: So, effective April 1st of this year, three supplementary staffing investment programs have been consolidated into the level of care envelope, and these are the personal support worker permanent wage enhancement, the nurse and PSW staffing supplement, and allied health.

00:02:16 Speaker 02: professional staffing supplement has been moved into program and support services.

00:02:17 Speaker 02: So this change is intended to streamline funding and oversight and align staffing investments more closely with the core level of care funding.

00:02:18 Speaker 02: I did kind of jump ahead, so apologies.

00:02:19 Speaker 02: I'm just going to go back a little bit.

00:02:19 Speaker 02: At the end of March, Gray Gables received notification of one-time funding in the amount of just over $280,000.

00:03:19 Speaker 02: Eighty thousand dollars from Ontario Health for the fiscal year of twenty-five twenty-six, which ends March thirty-first, twenty twenty-six, to support the behavioral specialized transition unit.

00:03:32 Speaker 02: The funding supports staff training and the purchase of therapeutic equipment and supplies aligned with our BSTU service delivery. And we've been able to spend a good chunk of that money, given the very short time period from the notification. to the deadline, and finally, the ministries released updated policies, per diem summaries, and eligible expenditure guidelines for 2627.

00:04:01 Speaker 02: But information related to case mix index will be communicated separately at a later date. And we used to be able to predict when we would receive that, but we're not able to predict that anymore. So, not sure when we'll be getting that. In the category of infection prevention and control, Public Health Ontario released two new infection prevention and control risk assessments resources for long-term care and retirement homes.

00:04:31 Speaker 02: These resources support homes in identifying and mitigating infection transmission risks and inform IPAC planning, resource allocation, preparedness, and compliance.

00:04:32 Speaker 02: And they also, a couple weeks later, released IPAC.

00:04:33 Speaker 02: checklist checklist to guide safe use of therapy animals and pets in healthcare settings, and this tool helps us balance the benefits of animal interaction with infection risk and supports policy development.

00:04:35 Speaker 02: And this checklist does not apply to service animals that are protected under provincial legislation.

00:04:36 Speaker 02: Regarding staffing and training, we are very pleased to officially announce that Kim Mustard has accepted the permanent position as executive director at Gray Gables, and we look forward and have been enjoying Kim's leadership and continued commitment to resident-centered care, team engagement, and operational excellence across long-term care.

00:05:31 Speaker 02: And Kim joins us today.

00:05:31 Speaker 02: Gray County Long-Term Care, in collaboration with the Center for Learning, Research, and Innovation (CLRI), their PSW Fund organized and.

00:05:33 Speaker 02: Fund organized an in-person dementia care education session on March 19th for team members from Gray and Bruce counties.

00:05:34 Speaker 02: And this session, called Better Together Dementia Care, was delivered by Plumtree Memory Care and attended by approximately 70 participants.

00:05:35 Speaker 02: And this training focused on building practical, hands-on skills to support high-quality dementia care.

00:05:36 Speaker 02: And this is really notable because a lot of these education opportunities tend to be centralized in big urban centers, and so for CLRI to be interested year after year in partnering with us in Gray County, they provide the education, they provide backfill and funding to support team members attending, and this has opened up.

00:06:31 Speaker 02: We open it up to anyone working in long-term care across Gray and Bruce counties.

00:06:32 Speaker 02: So all 18 of the long-term care homes are eligible to have.

00:06:33 Speaker 02: staff attend, and it's in-person training here at home.

00:06:34 Speaker 02: We we offer it at Sudham, and it's it's just a really great opportunity.

00:06:36 Speaker 02: And we're pleased that they keep reaching out year after year.

00:06:37 Speaker 02: I'm going to talk about this every chance I get.

00:06:38 Speaker 02: So throughout the month of March, over 250 team members participated in multiple training days related to the Improving Dementia Care Program, supported.

00:06:40 Speaker 02: through the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

00:07:12 Speaker 02: Just a reminder, we're one of 17 long-term care homes in the province to have received that funding.

00:07:14 Speaker 02: The training was led by Tollyn Parkin, Executive Director, with participation from all team members at Lee Manor and leaders from all three long-term care homes participating.

00:07:16 Speaker 02: This education focused on strengthening person-centered approaches to dementia care and supporting residents with responsive behaviors.

00:07:18 Speaker 02: In addition to the formal improving dementia care sessions, which we're calling something else, but I didn't open it, so Taline, maybe you can remind me what we're what we're calling it.

00:07:48 Speaker 02: In addition to that education day, a number of team members are participating in additional education, including You First pieces, Tippusno positive approach to care, and dementia ability. Further reinforcing a shared Enforcing a shared, evidence-formed approach and consistent practices across our homes.

00:08:12 Speaker 02: I'll stop talking because I see that you went off.

00:08:12 Speaker 02: Do you Do you want to?

00:08:12 Speaker 02: I can't remember.

00:08:13 Speaker 02: I meant to pull it up.

00:08:13 Speaker 02: I actually don't have.

00:08:13 Speaker 02: I was just trying to look for it, Jen.

00:08:13 Speaker 02: I'm sorry.

00:08:14 Speaker 02: Emotion-based, relation, relation, relation-centered.

00:08:14 Speaker 02: Yes.

00:08:14 Speaker 02: Framework.

00:08:14 Speaker 02: Thank you.

00:08:14 Speaker 02: I just want to.

00:08:14 Speaker 02: I want to get the words exactly right.

00:08:15 Speaker 02: We just changed.

00:08:15 Speaker 02: The words exactly wrong.

00:08:15 Speaker 02: We just changed it, so we did.

00:08:15 Speaker 02: And so, committee, Mr.

00:08:15 Speaker 02: Chair, I apologize.

00:08:16 Speaker 02: And we're we're working to kind of brand it with some color at your way language and stop.

00:08:17 Speaker 02: We're worried about calling it IDCP.

00:08:17 Speaker 02: It starts to be meaningless when it's just an acronym that's linked with a.

00:08:18 Speaker 03: I mean, we want to recognize the provincial program and and the support from the province, but we want to make it made in gray.

00:08:19 Speaker 03: So the communication.

00:08:19 Speaker 03: So the communications team has been helping us to build a Gray County brand for our emotion-based model of care that is Color at Your Way, and so maybe at our next meeting we'll unveil it, where we all are clear on the words.

00:09:12 Speaker 02: And the communications team has done an amazing job at creating a logo for it, and I am really excited about that.

00:09:15 Speaker 02: And if it's okay with you, Mr.

00:09:15 Speaker 02: Chair, I see Tulane has it in front of her.

00:09:16 Speaker 02: Yeah, sorry, my apologies.

00:09:17 Speaker 02: Thank you, through you, Mr.

00:09:17 Speaker 02: Chair.

00:09:17 Speaker 02: Emotion-focused, relationship-centered model of care, and care also means something particular to us, which is about checking emotions first, assessing what the policy or the process would be, responding with the right tool, and evaluating the care.

00:09:21 Speaker 02: Yeah, very exciting.

00:09:22 Speaker 02: Thank you.

00:09:22 Speaker 02: Thanks, Tulane.

00:10:02 Speaker 02: Sorry to put you on the spot. In March, information regarding health support worker certificate program, otherwise known as HISCAPA, registration process was shared with all of our personal support workers, including the direct link to the ministry websites outlining the registration process and the four available pathways.

00:10:22 Speaker 02: Participation in HISCAPA remains voluntary. Heskapoa remains voluntary at this time, and we anticipate that the province may mandate it at some point.

00:10:37 Speaker 02: But we're working hard to make sure that all of our PSWs know what Heskapoa Heskapoa is, how to register, and there is a particular cohort of our team members who received their certification prior to 2014.

00:10:40 Speaker 02: They have two particular pathways that that are options for them.

00:10:41 Speaker 02: and so we're working with those individuals to help them navigate which pathway, and they have to make a decision about that and be on one of those pathways by December 2027, which doesn't sound far away, but it or doesn't it sounds far away, but it isn't.

00:11:16 Speaker 02: So we're working to support our team members there. In partnerships, we are Advantage Ontario members. We have as and as. such, we have access to the organization's third quarter inspection dashboard, which is a dashboard of information of all members, and then divided into categories that we can look at, like similar-sized organizations, municipalities, etc.

00:12:13 Speaker 02: And it gives us the sector-wide overview of inspections, activities, and trends, and the latest. dashboard shows that nearly one third of inspections resulted in no findings of noncompliance, reflecting positive compliance outcomes across the sector.

00:13:04 Speaker 02: The data also highlights common inspection focus areas, including plans of care, duty to protect, as well as overall inspection frequency and enforcement trends. And this information is helpful for us to understand what's happening in long-term care inspection environment. and I will remind committee that there are currently two inspectors for every one long-term care home in in Ontario, and so we are seeing inspectors in our homes more often.

00:13:10 Speaker 02: And they are always attend attend by surprise; it's never a pre-planned meeting or inspection. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care offer several. Care offers several workforce incentive programs to support students and recent graduates, including paid student placements, return of service funding for nurses and personal support workers, and the community commitment program for nurses. And these initiatives are intended to support recruitment and retention in high need rural and northern communities.

00:13:52 Speaker 02: And we wanted to share with committee and and the public that since 2020.

00:13:54 Speaker 02: That since 2023, Grey County Long Term Care has participated in these programs, and with support from Long Term Care Human Resources and the Finance Departments, has supported stipends and and incentive payments to eligible students and employees in accordance with the the program.

00:13:58 Speaker 02: And there's a little chart here that shows just how much provincial funding has been kind of awarded gifted.

00:14:00 Speaker 02: through these stipends to our team members and students working in our three homes, and that's it's a significant amount.

00:14:15 Speaker 02: And so, really wanted to acknowledge the departments, the partner departments that help us coordinate this, and the the leaders in our homes helping to make sure our our students and our team members have access to the funds that they're eligible for and the support to fill out the paperwork, etc.

00:14:24 Speaker 02: To be able to receive those funds, all in an effort to, you know, encourage a career in long-term care.

00:14:26 Speaker 02: We have also recently registered with the Join LTC and Pledge initiative, and will continue to leverage ministry workforce incentive programs to support recruitment and retention of nurses and PSWs.

00:15:22 Speaker 02: Not only did we sign up to be part of the Join LTC and Pledge initiative, which is another incentive and coaching, kind of like our Colorad Coach program. We were asked to participate in the Nursing Pledge Advisory Group, and so that's a ministry-funded initiative led by a CLRI to support nursing mentorship in long-term care.

00:15:56 Speaker 02: And one nurse from each of our homes is participating to help co. Participating to help co-develop the practical tools, resources, and learning materials to support nursing mentorship. So we're participating in that. We want our nurses to have the experience of pledge, and we're also participating as part of the advisory committee in building those resources and tools. And so it was quite an honor to have been asked to participate at that level.

00:16:08 Speaker 02: In April, I had an opportunity to participate. at at an information session, a community information session held at the Blue Mountains Public Library, hosted by the Beaver Valley Outreach in partnership with the library, and it was a session to provide an overview of long-term care and retirement living options.

00:16:39 Speaker 02: I was able to deliver that in person, and there were about forty people in attendance and a lot of questions and a few follow-up emails. so it was a great opportunity to be able to help demystify some of the complexities of moving into long-term care or retirement and what your options are.

00:16:49 Speaker 02: A number of us from the three homes attended the 2026 Advantage Ontario convention held at the end of April, and I, in part, in partnership with Penny Poucha from Instincts at Work, had the chance to deliver.

00:16:50 Speaker 02: a presentation session called "Thriving in Complexity in Long-Term Care," which focused on leadership development and navigating complexity within our environment.

00:17:00 Speaker 02: Additionally, Dena Leach, our clinical specialist, presented alongside representatives from Niagara Region and Halton Region, giving an overview of the nurse practitioner role and how it's utilized within each municipality's long-term care homes, including key strengths, challenges, and sustainability considerations.

00:17:57 Speaker 02: and then what did I do in April? Oh, in April, I was also invited to record as an education session for Advantage Ontario, focused on quality risk management, and this is part of the association's board governance and leadership program.

00:18:06 Speaker 02: And the session provides a high-level overview of quality management requirements and long-term care.

00:18:28 Speaker 02: Requirements in long-term care, followed by an overview of how we approach the quality management and governance, and what your responsibilities are as Committee of Management.

00:18:30 Speaker 02: How we do that in Gray County.

00:18:31 Speaker 02: And that is a lengthy directors' update, but there is never a dull moment.

00:18:32 Speaker 02: And I will pass it back to you, Chair Mackey.

00:18:33 Speaker 02: Thank you, Jen.

00:18:34 Speaker 02: I was just wondering if the Deputy CEO partook in the.

00:18:35 Speaker 02: thriving in complexity training session.

00:18:35 Speaker 02: Oh, he's in that every day.

00:18:36 Speaker 02: Oh, pardon me, pardon me.

00:18:36 Speaker 02: Through you, Mister Chair.

00:18:37 Speaker 02: I think all right.

00:18:45 Speaker 02: I think I think that's I think that's just life at Gray County.

00:18:46 Speaker 02: Some days, Chair Mackey.

00:18:46 Speaker 02: Yeah.

00:18:46 Speaker 02: Thanks, Mel.

00:18:46 Speaker 02: Questions from committee members.

00:18:46 Speaker 02: Dean, go ahead, please.

00:18:47 Speaker 02: Thank you very much.

00:18:47 Speaker 02: Chair.

00:18:47 Speaker 02: Just two, if I may.

00:18:47 Speaker 02: One, just if you can expand a little bit on the amalgamating the three pools into one thing, and just is does is that more flexible for Gray County in terms of the investment?

00:18:50 Speaker 02: Is there restrictions that one of the pools had that are being carried through?

00:18:51 Speaker 04: Kind of that conversation, and then two, just a statement.

00:18:52 Speaker 04: Fantastic to see the report speaking to Tolene's support and running of the education.

00:18:53 Speaker 04: It's great that we have staff that are able to lead those kind of education as part of our everyday staff.

00:19:10 Speaker 02: Gray County is very lucky. Thank you, and I'll start and then pass it over to Marcus. So through you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Dane. I I appreciate those comments and and feel very fortunate to work with a team that is so skilled and diverse across a broad range of topics. and we host a couple of leadership days a year, and we're able to have our own leadership provide that education and training, and it's great to be able to have that.

00:19:44 Speaker 02: It's nice to bring in external as well, but it's it's it's it's so I I feel very fortunate. In terms of the financial question, I'll pass it over to Marcus, who I know has an answer. Good afternoon, Marcus. Go ahead, please. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

00:20:31 Speaker 02: And so, addressing the question in regards to it being transferred, it's being transferred to our general and core funding buckets in the sense that so the eligibility of what the expenditures can go towards is the same for the most part.

00:20:33 Speaker 02: Because if you're talking about, for instance, the increased staffing in regards to nursing, it going into the nursing bucket, it still can only be spent on nursing.

00:20:34 Speaker 02: But that's still applicable.

00:20:35 Speaker 02: What we're looking for, the one interesting one that.

00:20:35 Speaker 05: I I poise the skepticism and what what we're going to be reviewing and looking at very closely is that by them bundling it into that funding bucket and that what sort of level of annual increase are they going to provide and so we're just going to be watching that closely to make sure that by them bundling it together that it's not falling behind what funding increases it was getting separately so since now that you put it all together it might be a little bit.

00:20:39 Speaker 05: Altogether, it might be a little bit more murky or a little more harder to dissect.

00:20:39 Speaker 05: But that's something that we're watching, and as soon as we start receiving the money in this fashion, we're going to be monitoring it to make sure that we catch it if there's a problem.

00:21:15 Speaker 06: I see Shirley's hand up. Go ahead, Shirley. Ah, thank you, Chair Mackey and Jen. I just wanted to start by saying what an impressive report. It just never ceases to amaze me how much you. accomplish in terms of particularly the education side of things, and you and your team and all the training that that you undertake—it's it's really incredible.

00:21:46 Speaker 06: But I wanted to ask you if I may—I'm particularly interested in the presentation that you did at the library in TBM, and I'm curious to know.

00:21:48 Speaker 06: And I know you don't have any spare time whatsoever, but I'm curious to know if that is a presentation that you would consider repeating in some of the other lower tiers around the county.

00:21:50 Speaker 06: I think you know.

00:21:51 Speaker 06: people in my community would be very interested in hearing that.

00:21:51 Speaker 06: Thank you, and through you, Mr.

00:21:52 Speaker 06: Chair, I'm absolutely happy to repeat it.

00:21:52 Speaker 06: It's a presentation that continues to evolve over the years, but I off I get three or four invitations a year for a seniors' fair, or a library, or that or the Rotary Club, for example.

00:22:40 Speaker 02: so yes, at the risk of a tsunami of invitations, they tend to be an hour and a half, you know, two hours at the most, and happy to share that information. And it is a really, we we live in it, and it's complex. And so when people living in the community are trying to navigate, what's the difference between retirement and long-term care, and private and not-for-profit and municipal?

00:23:24 Speaker 02: Not for profit and municipal, but all still funded by the Ministry of Long Term Care, and it just—it's so overwhelming. So we have some pamphlets that help to outline information, and so yes, if there's interest, reach out, and we'll we'll find a time. That would be great because I know it is certainly confusing for a lot of a lot of family members that are dealing with. a senior.

00:24:04 Speaker 02: Any other questions for Jen?

00:24:04 Speaker 02: Jen, I just had one.

00:24:05 Speaker 02: You talked near the end of your presentation about the number of Ministry of Health inspectors that there are.

00:24:06 Speaker 02: Based on your experience, what is their background?

00:24:06 Speaker 02: Their training?

00:24:06 Speaker 02: You know, are they well versed in the responsibilities that they have?

00:24:07 Speaker 02: Good question.

00:24:07 Speaker 02: And through you.

00:24:07 Speaker 02: yes.

00:24:07 Speaker 02: So they rate.

00:24:08 Speaker 02: They have.

00:24:08 Speaker 02: They are required to be a registered, a regulated professional.

00:24:08 Speaker 02: So many of them are registered nurses, dietitians, social workers.

00:24:09 Speaker 02: I see totally nodding.

00:24:09 Speaker 02: So they must be a regulated professional.

00:24:10 Speaker 02: They do receive a significant amount of training and education.

00:24:10 Speaker 02: and one of the sessions at the the Advantage Conference at the end of April was ministry update, and it was the Ministry of Long Term Care, and it was Deputy Minister Peter Cafetarian and his team, which is different senior bureaucrats for the various sections, and of course the leader that gets the most questions is the inspection.

00:24:46 Speaker 02: branch or capital. Those are the two that generate the most interest from the audience, and there is a significant investment in the Ministry of Long Term Care in building an inspection branch and a compliance and inspection branch that holds the standard that citizens are expecting, and also has a compliance assistance section.

00:25:14 Speaker 02: to it supporting the 600 long-term care homes in Ontario that are honestly I really believe most are doing trying their best to meet all of the legislation and regulations, and these inspectors have the most opportunity to see great work happening across the province.

00:25:33 Speaker 02: And with the earlier version of inspections, they weren't at liberty to say make get you connected with another long-term care home that's.

00:25:34 Speaker 02: excelling in this area, and so now they're starting to build in some of that assistance.

00:25:34 Speaker 02: In they, it's a fine line.

00:25:35 Speaker 02: They can't really give us, they can't tell us how to meet the legislation and the regulations, but they can give us some examples that they've seen very successfully.

00:25:36 Speaker 02: It's like any other industry, though.

00:25:36 Speaker 02: You know, some some team members are a little friendlier, so some inspectors are a little friendly.

00:25:37 Speaker 02: Inspectors are a little friendlier.

00:25:37 Speaker 02: Some are a little more kind of cut and dry.

00:25:37 Speaker 02: And and when they come into the home, we need to find them space.

00:25:38 Speaker 02: They tend to be there for five to seven days.

00:25:38 Speaker 02: They're out with their tablets or their clipboards, talking to team members, talking to residents.

00:25:39 Speaker 02: Everyone is a little bit on edge.

00:25:39 Speaker 02: Our experience, though, the lot and and Taline and Kim are going to speak to their recent inspectors.

00:25:40 Speaker 02: Speak to their recent inspections in the next report.

00:25:40 Speaker 02: Overall, has been really pleasant.

00:25:40 Speaker 02: You know, they're they're kind, friendly.

00:25:40 Speaker 02: They hold the standard, but they do it in a professional way.

00:25:41 Speaker 02: Thanks, Jen.

00:25:41 Speaker 02: Good to hear that everyone has a common goal.

00:25:41 Speaker 02: All right.

00:25:41 Speaker 02: If there is not any other questions for Jen, we'll call the question.

00:25:42 Speaker 02: All in favor of receiving the report?

00:25:42 Speaker 02: That is carried.

00:25:42 Speaker 02: Thank you again, Jen.

00:25:42 Speaker 02: All right.

00:27:16 Speaker 07: Next, we have report LTCRCM eleven twenty six regarding the long term care operational report dated February the fifteenth to April the fourteenth be received for information.

00:27:28 Speaker 07: Kind of a mover, please. Moved by Member Patterson, seconded by Member Keeve. Member Kibney, and I think we're starting off with Dana. Good afternoon, Dana. Good afternoon, and through you, Mr. Chair, I want to highlight two key clinical initiatives, both that focus on strengthening our outbreak preparedness and response across our homes.

00:27:57 Speaker 07: And the first is a digital line list pilot.

00:27:57 Speaker 07: So, in collaboration with Gray Bruce Public Health, the Lee Manor team piloted.

00:27:58 Speaker 07: Our team piloted a digital outbreak line list.

00:27:58 Speaker 07: So this replaces our previous fax-based process with a secure, shared SharePoint document.

00:27:58 Speaker 07: And just to be clear, a line list tracks information about each person involved in the outbreak.

00:27:59 Speaker 07: There is one per residence, and there is one also for staff.

00:28:00 Speaker 07: If applicable, it shares symptoms, date of onset, test results, and if the virus is it's indicative.

00:28:00 Speaker 07: of a vaccine status.

00:28:00 Speaker 07: It's also asked and shared on the line list.

00:28:01 Speaker 07: So with this new approach, both the home and public health can update the document real time.

00:28:01 Speaker 07: So updating case definitions, so that improves our and also gives an accurate picture of what's happening in the home.

00:28:02 Speaker 07: It improves timeliness, accuracy.

00:28:02 Speaker 07: It's better communication amongst these partners, and it's it's that shared coordination approach that we have during outbreaks.

00:28:03 Speaker 07: So really.

00:28:03 Speaker 07: thrilled that we were asked to be a part part of a pilot.

00:28:04 Speaker 07: Not gonna lie, it's been something that I've wanted to do for quite some time.

00:28:04 Speaker 07: When I was with both organize with that other organization, so I'm I'm so thrilled that Gray Gray County said we'd like to do this and we'll we'll pilot it for you.

00:28:06 Speaker 07: So it's it's also gonna support a broader adopt adoption across the Gray Bruce region.

00:29:01 Speaker 07: So really excited about that initiative, and we'll be all set for.

00:29:01 Speaker 07: We, I mean, we hope we don't have to use it over the summer, but we'll definitely be ready to roll in the fall respiratory season.

00:29:02 Speaker 07: The second initiative is the acquisition of an onsite rapid PCR testing device.

00:29:02 Speaker 07: We had some funding through the local priorities funding, and the banner applied for a Gene Expert rapid PCR machine.

00:29:03 Speaker 07: It allows us to do some onsite respiratory virus testing with results available in under an hour.

00:29:03 Speaker 07: It can test our respiratory.

00:29:04 Speaker 07: viruses such as influenza A, B, RSV, along with COVID.

00:29:04 Speaker 07: And we're really fortunate.

00:29:04 Speaker 07: Not only do we the team offer to do it, it's one in which we can utilize across all three homes.

00:29:05 Speaker 07: And we're also prepared to support other homes around the area in in utilizing this technology.

00:29:05 Speaker 07: So it will be used strategically when rapid decision making is crucial.

00:29:05 Speaker 07: I want to be clear also that it doesn't mean that we are going to replace.

00:29:06 Speaker 07: the external lab or public health lab or other labs, but it's just when there could be a delay in action.

00:29:06 Speaker 07: For example, if the roads are closed, and we need to identify what we can do, or if there's a delay and we want to start antivirals, which are best the earlier, the early we initiate, the better outcomes we have.

00:29:08 Speaker 07: So, and as I shared, though it is housed at Lee Manor, we'll be supporting all three Gray County homes with this with this device, and.

00:29:08 Speaker 07: and again, being good partners along the way, if we can with other long-term care homes.

00:29:09 Speaker 07: So it's it's really quite good to have this technology.

00:29:09 Speaker 07: So again, faster results mean earlier clinical and operational decisions, stronger outbreak control, and improved resident safety.

00:29:09 Speaker 07: And so, not that we want any outbreaks, but these two initiatives give us a few more tools in our toolbox.

00:29:10 Speaker 07: So really excited to share that with you.

00:29:10 Speaker 07: Thank you.

00:29:10 Speaker 07: Any questions for Dana from committee members?

00:31:27 Speaker 07: Dana, how would we trans transport samples from one home to the other?

00:31:28 Speaker 07: Yeah.

00:31:28 Speaker 07: So we do have we do have packaging that we're required to transport.

00:31:29 Speaker 07: There's the also we've been working with our Joint Health and Safety Manager about the transportation of dangerous goods.

00:31:31 Speaker 07: That's a requirement, and we're just updating our training.

00:31:32 Speaker 07: in terms of transporting them.

00:31:32 Speaker 07: So anyone who transfers specimens will take it from one place, secure it in a transport bag, and then and and the appropriate transport sample collection medium, and then we would bring it to the the home.

00:32:36 Speaker 07: Very much similar to what we do when we pack it up and and the lab picks it up from us.

00:32:37 Speaker 07: But this would be if we needed to.

00:32:37 Speaker 07: This would be our staff, and we are just finalizing the training.

00:32:37 Speaker 07: for transportation.

00:32:37 Speaker 07: Some, we, for example, one of our IPAC and wellness managers is also a medical lab technologist and has that extensive knowledge of operating lab analysis.

00:32:38 Speaker 07: We're very fortunate, but also has the transportation of dangerous goods, including myself if need be.

00:32:39 Speaker 07: I also have that training and certification, so we will make sure that we do it safely and following those requirements.

00:32:40 Speaker 07: Thank you.

00:32:40 Speaker 07: All right.

00:32:40 Speaker 07: I guess Karen is next for the redevelopment update.

00:32:40 Speaker 07: Good afternoon, Karen.

00:32:40 Speaker 07: Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you, Chair Mackey.

00:32:40 Speaker 07: The building continues to move along.

00:32:41 Speaker 07: At the end of April, it was more than sixty-two percent complete.

00:32:41 Speaker 07: Or, sorry, the end of March, and now it's more than sixty-six percent complete.

00:32:42 Speaker 07: The roof on the east wing was finished, and the concrete floor topping in that area was complete.

00:32:42 Speaker 07: Area was completed.

00:32:42 Speaker 07: A small portion of the roof over the rooftop garden remains outstanding, but otherwise the remainder of the roof is complete, and it does not have a significant impact on the overall project as as it once did.

00:32:44 Speaker 07: Work, of course, continues on all the same things we've been doing for a few months now.

00:32:44 Speaker 07: But a couple new highlights was that the walk-in fridges and freezer.

00:32:45 Speaker 07: were installed over the past month, and they've actually started priming and painting, particularly on the west wings.

00:33:55 Speaker 07: So it's it's more fun to go over now to see these cosmetic issues, if I might cause or call them that.

00:33:57 Speaker 07: We continue to wait for approval from ESA or the Electrical Safety Authority regarding the upgrade to the grounding grid.

00:33:59 Speaker 07: As I think.

00:33:59 Speaker 07: you've everyone's been aware, the project is slightly behind.

00:34:00 Speaker 07: So, in consultation, we are now working towards a move-in date of early April next year.

00:34:01 Speaker 07: So, have changed or slowed down plans a wee bit, but certainly still moving forward.

00:34:02 Speaker 07: Related to operational readiness, the company DN Hospitality that we contracted to help.

00:34:03 Speaker 07: us with the the new food production system has been on site here at the current Rockwood Terrace.

00:34:53 Speaker 08: Daryl had an opportunity to meet with the dietary team. He also met with residents council and attended a general staff meeting just to get give everybody an overview of the procedures and help limit any early rumors that might get going.

00:35:14 Speaker 08: We have finalized staffing schedules for all of the departments except dietary, and that's because we were waiting on Daryl's expertise in that area before we finalized that one. And we're just working with Unifor to determine a rebidding process because all of the Unifor members will be required to rebid on a line.

00:35:38 Speaker 08: Scheduling for Ona remains unchanged, so they will not.

00:35:39 Speaker 08: have the same procedure, but things are going well in that regard.

00:35:40 Speaker 08: We of course.

00:35:40 Speaker 08: Sorry, can you just, when you talk about rebidding for a line, not being a unionized person at all, can you just explain that a little bit?

00:35:42 Speaker 08: And is that troublesome for staff to have to rebid?

00:35:43 Speaker 08: Certainly.

00:35:43 Speaker 08: So currently, all of our union team members.

00:35:43 Speaker 08: own, for lack of a better word, a master line.

00:35:44 Speaker 08: So that's a line of shifts or a schedule that they can count on forever and ever until they post out of it.

00:35:46 Speaker 08: In this process, because we're we're changing some lines and of course we're adding some lines, everyone will get the opportunity to choose a new line.

00:36:37 Speaker 08: Yes, it does cause stress for some team members because they there's a fear that. things will change drastically, but basically, if you're a full-time employee, you will still end up with a full-time line.

00:36:48 Speaker 08: And if you're a part-time employee, you may end up with a full-time line in this case because we're adding additional lines.

00:36:50 Speaker 08: Or if you want to stay part-time, you you can.

00:36:51 Speaker 08: You also cannot switch departments in this situation.

00:36:52 Speaker 08: So I, as a PSW, can't bump into the housekeeping.

00:36:52 Speaker 08: department with my seniority in this situation.

00:36:53 Speaker 08: The the bidding happens within by seniority within the respective departments.

00:36:54 Speaker 08: Yeah, thank you.

00:36:54 Speaker 08: We continue to select and get ready to order order furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

00:36:55 Speaker 08: And finally, if you didn't have a chance to view the little video that was released earlier this spring.

00:36:57 Speaker 08: there's a link in the report for you to do so if you're interested.

00:37:40 Speaker 08: All right, thank you, Karen. Questions for Karen?

00:37:58 Speaker 08: When you talk about our overall staffing, are we in the process right now of hiring the additional staff that are be required, or when will or when will that take place?

00:38:43 Speaker 08: We haven't commenced that process yet.

00:38:44 Speaker 08: Commence that process yet?

00:38:44 Speaker 08: Our thinking is that we would like to have this re bid process take place first.

00:38:45 Speaker 08: Then we will know exactly what staff we need and can offer them lines rather than a theoretical part time line.

00:38:46 Speaker 08: We can say, you know, this is the actual line we have, and in some cases it might work with another job they're already doing or might work with their family life.

00:38:48 Speaker 08: But then they they know exactly.

00:38:49 Speaker 08: And they they know exactly what they're what they're coming into.

00:38:49 Speaker 08: We see that as a benefit in this situation.

00:38:50 Speaker 08: So originally, with a January move date, we were going to start the hiring recruitment process in August.

00:38:51 Speaker 08: We will probably shift that off a couple months now, so more later fall next year.

00:38:52 Speaker 08: And we hope to have this rebid done by early fall.

00:38:59 Speaker 08: So with with the shortages that we've been experiencing.

00:38:59 Speaker 08: do we anticipate we'll be able to fill all the spots that will be required?

00:39:00 Speaker 08: I believe we will in most cases.

00:39:00 Speaker 08: The only the only one that worries me a little bit is PSWs.

00:39:01 Speaker 08: That is the classification that we will be increasing the most, so we need to hire or recruit the most for.

00:39:02 Speaker 08: But I would say generally HR issues aren't looking as bleak as they once were, so I'm I'm hopeful that we can.

00:39:03 Speaker 08: But the PSW classification does worry me slightly, just because of the numbers.

00:39:03 Speaker 08: Yeah, thank you.

00:39:03 Speaker 08: Just sorry, one more.

00:39:04 Speaker 08: Maybe this is for you, Jen.

00:39:04 Speaker 08: The delegation that we had with the ministry in regards to the transition and the length of time that we would be given to transition our residents.

00:39:05 Speaker 08: Have we received any feedback?

00:39:05 Speaker 08: from the ministry in regards to giving us a little more time.

00:39:06 Speaker 08: So, great, good question.

00:39:06 Speaker 08: And through you, I don't believe we received a formal response from the minister's office.

00:39:07 Speaker 08: However, we did have an opportunity to discuss this with the deputy minister and some of his team at the Advantage Conference, and and.

00:39:08 Speaker 08: it was in the session, so this was kind of from the podium as opposed to a side conversation.

00:40:21 Speaker 02: His recommendation was to build our proposal, so we, whether it's not a proposal, it's our submission for operational readiness of how we're going to move residents in and at what rate.

00:40:51 Speaker 02: And the recommendation was to build it based on what we recommended. in our delegation, so that's what we're doing, and hopefully the ministry approves that.

00:41:05 Speaker 02: But that's that's our plan. Okay, thank you, Jen. Member Patterson, go ahead, Sue, please. Thank you, Chair Mackey. I just want to make a comment about the video. I think it was excellent. We've got a couple of stars in Gray County, and I hope you're going. to do a follow up when you know maybe the furniture's in and you can do a walkthrough. And I just think it was great; people loved it. Thank you. Thanks, Sue.

00:42:09 Speaker 02: Well, we do look forward to our our next meeting, Karen, and having a tour in July. So, hope hopefully, what seventy five percent by then. Ah, for sure. Let's hope. All right. We will now move on to to Kim and Kim, on behalf of the committee of management, we certainly want to welcome you to and certainly thankful that you have chosen to accept the executive director's position, and we look forward to working with you. Go ahead, please. Thank you, Chair Mackey. I really appreciate that.

00:42:44 Speaker 09: So through you, it does seem like in 2026, the Ministry of Long Term Care and Of long-term care inspectors have liked to visit Gray Gables. In February, five inspectors arrived to review several critical incidents and follow up on a previous compliance order.

00:43:20 Speaker 09: They were on site from February 11th to the 26th. When they wrapped up, we did receive six written notifications, but the home was cleared of the previous compliance order. As a result, the team did put into place strong action plans that included charting education and increased staff training around responsive behaviors.

00:43:42 Speaker 09: When the inspectors returned on April the second for a proactive inspection, they focused on those responsive behaviors and pain management. We were very excited when they left with no unmet no unmet standards at all, and we felt this was a huge accomplishment and speaks. volumes about the improvements and consistency that the team had built.

00:43:52 Speaker 09: During that same April visit, the inspectors also completed a proactive inspection under the Safe and Secure Home legislation, specifically looking at generator requirements.

00:44:13 Speaker 09: We did receive one written notification, but it turned out to be tied to a clerical error in the policy itself. That's now been corrected, and that fix has actually. helped other homes using those same Sienna policies avoid the same issue, including Lee Manor, who had a generator inspection within the last couple weeks.

00:44:42 Speaker 09: So, almost took one for the team, as they say. So, yeah. So, overall, a great experience, as Jen said. They have all been very gracious and forthcoming. But, yeah, it's it's as she said, we we're seeing them more. But, yeah. sounds like baptism by fire for the new executive director. Exactly. Well said. Well said. Any any questions from committee members for for Kim? All right. Thank you very much, Kim, for that update. And we'll now move on to Tolene.

00:45:27 Speaker 09: Oh, thank you to you, Mr.

00:45:27 Speaker 09: Chair.

00:45:27 Speaker 09: Appreciate it.

00:45:27 Speaker 09: Um, so we did have.

00:45:28 Speaker 09: some inspectors in the home in March, so they were here for nine days.

00:45:28 Speaker 09: They came in to look at four critical incidents.

00:45:29 Speaker 09: As you know, we report on a number of things, self-report a number of issues.

00:45:29 Speaker 09: So they were here to do that.

00:45:30 Speaker 09: They looked at areas of um, um.

00:45:30 Speaker 09: Sorry, my screen just.

00:45:30 Speaker 09: There's my document.

00:45:30 Speaker 09: Sorry, I lost it.

00:45:30 Speaker 09: Sorry.

00:45:30 Speaker 10: So they looked at resident care services and support, prevention of.

00:45:31 Speaker 10: abuse and neglect, responsive behaviors, and fall prevention of falls.

00:45:31 Speaker 10: And so, we did receive four areas of noncompliance in in the form of written notifications.

00:45:32 Speaker 10: We've been working through those issues to address them.

00:45:32 Speaker 10: Honestly, mostly they left us in sort of four areas, but it really comes down to communicating on care plans.

00:45:33 Speaker 10: Really, at the end of the day, so that's really our big focus with our teams at the moment is really focusing on care planning.

00:45:34 Speaker 10: so that's where we are at the moment.

00:45:35 Speaker 10: All right, thank you.

00:45:35 Speaker 10: Any questions for Tuline?

00:45:46 Speaker 07: All right, thank you for that report and update, Tuline. We'll now move on to Terry for the Colorado stories. Thank you. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, and through you, Mr. Chair, at Rockwood Terrace, office team members have been connecting with one resident through a simple but meaningful daily activity, sharing. a joke each day.

00:46:12 Speaker 07: This resident loves passing the jokes along to co-residents, visitors, and team members, spreading smiles and laughter throughout the building.

00:46:14 Speaker 07: To build on this idea, the team created a personal joke book to capture each joke, with the goal of filling it over the course of the year.

00:46:16 Speaker 11: What started out as a small, thoughtful gesture has grown into something everyone can be part of, with team members and volunteers joining in as well.

00:46:18 Speaker 11: This lighthearted initiative has helped create connections, a sense of purpose, and a lot of joy and laughter for everyone involved, while also adding to the fun, lively atmosphere that we're very proud of at Rockwood Terrace.

00:46:21 Speaker 11: Thank you.

00:46:21 Speaker 11: Any questions for Terry?

00:47:03 Speaker 11: Are we getting colored stories from any of the other homes? Jan, we hadn't planned on it. Okay. Well, I know there's all. That's great. But there's lots in there. I know there's always lots in there. So thank you. All right. Well, is there any questions for the overall report before we ask the question? All in favor of receiving the report? That is carried. Thank you.

00:47:36 Speaker 07: No closed meeting required, Jen. Nope. Okay. And there is no correspondence. Is there any other business from any of the members? Not seeing. Good afternoon, Warden. All right.

00:47:58 Speaker 07: Our next meeting is scheduled for Rockwood Terrace at 10:00 a.m. and we'll. And will we be having lunch at Rockwood afterwards?

00:48:43 Speaker 07: And I guess the only other question is: hard hats and vests and safety boots and stuff.

00:48:44 Speaker 07: What's going to be required?

00:48:44 Speaker 12: I see Nile has his hand up, and Tara.

00:48:45 Speaker 12: We'll go to Nile first.

00:48:45 Speaker 12: Well, now I'm always worried when the when the clerk puts their hand up at the same time as me, because it usually means I'm about to say something out of order.

00:48:47 Speaker 12: But I will apologize.

00:48:47 Speaker 12: And good afternoon, chair.

00:48:48 Speaker 12: Good afternoon.

00:48:48 Speaker 12: committee members.

00:48:48 Speaker 12: So yeah, we're we're looking forward to the sixteenth, and so we are planning to be on site.

00:48:49 Speaker 12: Hard hats and vests will be required, although we may not need them for the whole time that we're on site because I understand that Malol Blamey will also be throwing a bit of a thank you barbecue that day, and so we'll have an opportunity to have some barbecue on site.

00:49:00 Speaker 12: Meet with some of the contractors and trades that have been working on site, and and get the opportunity to say a bit of a thank you, both on behalf of the general contractor, the general contractor, and Gray County.

00:49:10 Speaker 12: And so, yeah, we will have hard boots, steel toes, if you can, hard hats, and vests. We will make sure we bring hard hats and some vests along, but obviously, if you can bring your steel toe caps, that would be good. We have the we have hard hats. and we have vests. Yeah. So your only responsibility is the footwear.

00:49:37 Speaker 12: Now, Jen or Nile, is this going to be available to other members of council? Is it only for the the committee of management? So through you, through you, Chair Mackie. So we we have a long term.

00:50:02 Speaker 12: We have the redevelopment task force meeting in the afternoon following that day, and so members of the development redevelopment task force will also be invited.

00:50:04 Speaker 12: to join us for the lunch, and we can we can look to throwing the invitation out more broadly.

00:50:06 Speaker 12: But but yes, I think I think we probably cover off most members of council by the time we've got LTC Com and the Redevelopment Task Force.

00:50:08 Speaker 12: So we can we can look to throw the invitation out to any members of council that are not on one of those two things, if they'd like to join us for lunch as well.

00:50:11 Speaker 12: Thank you, Chair.

00:50:11 Speaker 12: Go ahead, please.

00:50:11 Speaker 12: Thank you.

00:50:58 Speaker 07: I don't really have anything to add. It's all been covered. Covered. Other than clerk staff will send out a reminder in July just to remind you about the boots and the the vests and hard hats will be available.

00:51:08 Speaker 07: So rest assured, you'll you'll get a nudge before the meeting. You always take care of us. Thank you. All right. Is there any final questions or comments from any member? All right. While it is. All right. Well, it is 1:50, and we will. I guess. Can I have a motion to adjourn, please?

00:51:09 Speaker 07: Moved by Member Carleton, second by Member Nielsen. All in favor? That is carried. We stand adjourned at 1:51. Take care, everyone. Thanks. Have a good afternoon. Thank you very much, everybody. Bye now. Bye.