Ontario Government Scraps PSW Registry

Four years after the Ontario government promised to protect patients by creating a registry for personal support workers (PSWs), the government has decided to scrap it.

Former health minister Deb Matthews promised to elevate PSWs, who are the front-line of the province’s home and long term care, providing all non-medical care. A key component of her plan was to shift care out of costly hospitals and into communities.

But the Ontario government has instead perpetuated a system where PSWs make less than minimum wage.

“The result has been high turnover and compromised care,” says France Gelinas, NDP Health Critic. “A revolving door of PSWs doesn’t know the needs of their patients, who in turn feel uncomfortable dealing with new faces.”