Ontario to Permit Nurse Practitioners as Clinical Directors in Long-Term Care Homes

The proposed legislation aims to address staffing shortages, expand dementia care programs, and introduce new elder care initiatives.

Ontario's new bill would allow nurse practitioners to serve as clinical directors in long-term care homes, replacing the current requirement for a physician as medical director.
Supporters, including the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, argue this change will improve collaboration, create career opportunities for nurses, and address staffing challenges in remote areas.
Critics, such as the Ontario Medical Association, express concerns over the medical complexity of residents and emphasize the need for physicians' expertise in oversight roles.
The legislation also mandates dementia care programs in all homes and introduces penalties for abuse and neglect of residents.
Additional funding includes $20 million over three years for dementia-related adult day programs and pilot initiatives focusing on emotion-based care models and community access to long-term care services.