Update: Hastings County statement late Wednesday afternoon: Please be advised that the attached Media Release has been revised to reflect an reduction of .77 FTE at Hastings Centennial Manor. The previous number quoted “2.25” was incorrect. Our apologies for the error.
Hastings County is calling on the province to reverse a decision to cut annual operating funding to Hastings Manor and Centennial Manor.
In a media release Wednesday morning, the county announced that Hastings Manor in Belleville will have funding cut by $203,000 and Centennial Manor in Bancroft by $48,000.
County Warden Rick Phillips says cutting the funding is out of step with the government’s announced intention of increasing care for residents in both manors. He adds it is also unacceptable, and defies understanding, considering we are still in the COVID pandemic.
Paul Jenkins is the chair of the County Long Term Care Committee. He says they were caught off guard by the decision, and they will have to reduce the level of care to residents at both manors.
The funding change will cut more than five staff.
FULL QUOTES
“Cutting our operating funding for 2021–22 is unacceptable and is out of step with the government’s announced intention of increasing care for our residents in both manors. We have written to Minister Phillips urging him to reverse the cuts. Our residents and staff deserve better, especially after the incredible challenges they have faced throughout the pandemic.”– Rick Phillips, Warden of Hastings County
“We recently received notice that the Minister is cutting funding to both our homes. We were caught completely off guard by this decision. These cuts mean we will have to reduce the level of care to residents at both manors. At Hastings Manor this will result in a loss of 3.25 full-time equivalent staff and in Bancroft the manor will have to reduce their staff by 2.25 full-time equivalents. While that might seem small, it is a full step backward in our effort to increase our care for residents.”– Paul Jenkins, Chair Long Term Care Committee
“Cutting care to residents while we are still in the COVID–19 pandemic defies understanding. Hastings County continues to support the EOWC’s call for a new, simplified funding formula that will support funding of four hours per resident per day for the care they need and deserve.”– Rick Phillips, Warden of Hastings County
