The Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union (NSNU) released a paper on June 26, 2020 that recommends staffing ratios for Nova Scotia’s long-term care sector, and revisits issues discussed in the 2015-2016 Broken Homes report on the state of long-term care (LTC) in Nova Scotia. It also fills a gap left by Government’s 2018 Expert Panel which was tasked with recommending staffing levels, a staff complement and skill mix for the long-term care sector.

The paper, authored by Charlene Harrington, Ph.D., RN, Professor Emeritus from the University of California San Francisco, was commissioned by the NSNU in 2019. Dr. Harrington is a renowned expert on long-term care staffing and an internationally recognized leader in LTC policy development.

The 27-page paper entitled, Staffing Standards for Nova Scotia Nursing Homes, validates staffing claims made by the NSNU in 2016 while taking a hard look at the current needs of LTC residents. It also includes a preface that examines the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic in LTC and understaffing and other problems identified in the Broken Homes report.

Long-Term Care Facebook Live Event

Watch below: NSNU Facebook Live panel discussion  hosted by Janet Hazelton with guests Glenda Sabine, NSNU VP LTC, NSNU’s Dr. Paul Curry and Dr. Ruth Martin-Misener NP, PhD, FAAN, Professor and Director of the School of Nursing and Assistant Dean, Research, Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University.