Simcoe County will find ways to avoid cutting nursing-home staff despite a provincial grant cut, Warden Gerry Marshall told Barrie Today.
Two weeks ago, councillors got word that Ontario would reduce funding to the county's four homes by $340,787 and cost-cutting strategies were contemplated on March 8.
But in the wake of public concern and "sober second thought" – in yet another private session yesterday – councilors ordered county managers to find a way to maintain staff levels and care at Georgian Manor in Penetanguishene, Simcoe Villa and Manor in Beeton, Sunset Village and Manor in Collingwood and Trillium Manor in Orillia.
“We still have to provide top-quality care and have a very serious concern with the province on cuts. They have a dramatic impact on how we can serve our residents,” said Warden Marshall.
“We’re adjusting hours and the ways we do business. Staff have to think their way through it.”
The grants fall effective April 1, the start of Ontario’s fiscal year, but four months into the county’s budgetary year.
“As a council and as warden, we didn’t want the province’s funding cuts to impact our ability to give top-quality care to our residents,” he said, adding the county will also send a letter to Ontario about the impact of grant cuts on frail seniors.
He added the county will also work to have “meaningful conversations” about the impact, and county staff’s analysis will outline the impact in each of the care homes.
Ontario is reducing its funding effective April 1, which is the start of its new fiscal year.
