Item - 2014.CD31.2

 The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize the General Manager, Long-Term Care Homes and Services, to certify and approve on behalf of the City annual Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) for submission to Health Quality Ontario (HQO) as required under the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010.

In December 2013, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care issued a directive requiring the development and public availability of Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) from all long-term care (LTC) homes in Ontario for each fiscal year (April 1 – March 31) beginning in 2015/16. These plans must also be submitted to Health Quality Ontario (HQO) as part of the organization's mandate under the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010.

A Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) is a formal, documented set of commitments that a healthcare organization makes to its patients/clients/residents, staff and community to improve quality through focused targets and actions. QIPs are used in other healthcare sectors such as hospitals to assist in delivering quality programs and services. In order to support a common vision across the health system, standardized templates are provided for the QIP by HQO with the expectation that the Chair of the Board (or designate) certify their approval of the plan.

The purpose of this report is to request that authority be delegated to the General Manager, Long-Term Care Homes and Services (LTCHS) to certify and approve on behalf of the City annual QIPs for submission to HQO as required under the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010.