Question Period Note: Long-term care on-reserve

• The pandemic has highlighted the importance of providing high quality, safe long-term care services.

• That is why it is more important than ever that we advance engagement efforts with Indigenous communities to support a new and more holistic long-term care strategy.

• This will inform a more responsive, culturally-safe, and integrated continuum of health and social long term care services for Indigenous peoples.

• We will continue to work with First Nations and Inuit partners to support culturally-responsive care that is focused on individuals at all stages of life.

Throughout the pandemic, ISC has been communicating closely with communities regarding their required supports and resources need to prevent COVID-19 cases in Long Term Care facilities in Indigenous communities. Supports for these facilities have included PPE, cleaning supplies, training in infection prevention control, and covid adaptation measures to allow for infection prevention and control.

Public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to necessitate the need for increased flexibility and preparedness to start the engagement in each community and region.
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of providing high quality long-term care services in a safe context. It has also underlined weaknesses within the existing system and services (e.g., staff shortages, gaps in the delivery of specific services such as respite and palliative care, and mental health services).

The First Nations and Inuit-led engagement on a new and more holistic long-term care strategy (announced in Budget 2019) will soon be initiated. This engagement will present an opportunity to learn directly from First Nation and Inuit health and social workers, leaders, community members, and clients about their needs and priorities for a holistic continuum of long-term care services. The engagement will provide the opportunity for fulsome consideration and discussion of the gaps and linkages between existing health and social long term care services; as well as solution based options on how these systems and services could better support culturally-responsive care that is focused on individuals at all stages of life.

It is expected that the Indigenous-led engagement will support discussions that will go beyond only the current aspects of the COVID 19 pandemic and will facilitate the development of solutions developed by Indigenous communities to inform what they understand is necessary to realize a responsive, culturally-safe, and integrated continuum of health and social long term care services.

If pressed on supports to Long term care homes during COVID-19

• The health and safety of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and communities is a top priority for this Government.

• We recognize the elevated risk faced by Indigenous seniors in the face of COVID-19.

• That’s why we acted quickly to provide supports and resources, such as PPE, cleaning supplies, training and adaptation measures, to prevent COVID-19 cases in Long Term Care facilities in Indigenous communities.

• We know that communities are working diligently to protect all citizens, including seniors, and we remain committed to providing them the supports they need.
If pressed further on supports to Long term care homes during COVID-19

• We are working with Indigenous communities to support the implementation of stringent public health measures in Long Term Care facilities on-reserve.

• ISC has been working closely with the community to ensure adequate supports and resources, as well as a continued assurance that strong, rigorous public health measures are in place.

• We will remain vigilant in maintaining public health measures in these facilities as we enter the seasonal Influenza virus season.