Ombudsman to investigate monitoring of long-term care homes September 2008- Ontario Ombudsman André Marin is conducting an independent investigation into the province's monitoring of long-term care facilities and its effectiveness in ensuring nursing homes meet government standards. The Ombudsman has invited members of the public to come forward to his office with their experiences with long-term care and/or the province's monitoring system. Complaints can be filed by calling 1-800-263-1830, online at www.ombudsman.on.ca, as well as by mail or fax. Complaints to the Ombudsman are kept confidential and the Ombudsman's investigations are impartial and independent of government or any long-term care authority. The investigation will focus on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. (Unlike ombudsmen in some other provinces, Mr. Marin's mandate does not extend to nursing homes themselves.) It will be conducted by the Special Ombudsman Response Team (SORT), and is expected to take about six months. Concerned Friends has been invited to meet with two members of SORT to provide them with our perspective on these issues. |