2010

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care incorporated the Ombudsman’s suggestions in its ongoing upgrade of its monitoring of long-term care facilities after he identified serious systemic problems. Since the Ministry’s efforts are “a work in progress,” in lieu of a report, the Ombudsman released a summary of his findings and the Ministry’s responses to date.

Investigation into the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services’ conduct in relation to Ontario Regulation 233/10 under the Public Works Protection Act.

Investigation into the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network’s use of community engagement in its decision-making process.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care agreed to fund dental implants for a 55-year-old cancer patient who required extensive reconstructive facial surgery.  The Ministry also acknowledged that there may be others in such exceptional circumstances and undertook to address the gap in the system to allow them access to funding for dental implants.

The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario sped up its process, improved its practices and addressed a backlog of cases after the Ombudsman launched an investigation in 2008 into complaints that mandatory inquests were not being held within a reasonable time frame.  Based on this result, the Ombudsman determined no further investigation was warranted, but continues to monitor the issue.