The Ontario Personal Support Worker Registry becomes a reality

TORONTO, June 14, 2012 /CNW/ - In a statement to the Legislative Assembly yesterday, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews, announced the launch of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Registry. In her statement, Minister Matthews acknowledged the care personal support workers or PSWs provide daily for some of Ontario's most vulnerable populations, such as seniors and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. The establishment of the Registry was announced by Minister Matthews in May 2011, as a "registry of personal support workers that will better recognize the work they do for Ontarians, while helping to better meet the needs of the people they care for."

The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) was contracted to lead the development and implementation of the Registry. In addition a Steering Committee made up of various stakeholders, including front-line PSWs, employer and advocacy groups, unions and educational associations have been providing expert opinion and guidance to the process.

The Registry was officially launched on June 1, 2012 and the initial phase will focus on those working in the home-care sector. PSWs and those employed to provide personal support services can now apply to be part of the Registry by going to www.pswregistry.org and filling out an online application form. Paper applications are also available for download online or from employers and can be mailed, faxed or dropped off at the Registry's office. There is no cost to PSWs to register.

Registration will be mandatory for all PSWs currently employed by publicly-funded employers within the home-care sector. As well, in the future, these employers will be required to hire only PSWs that are on the Registry. Publicly funded employers are those receiving funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Local Health Integration Networks or the Community Care Access Centres.

To read Minister Matthew's statement click here.

Media Contact:
Susan Thorning, CEO
OCSA
416 256 3010 ext. 231
[e-mail]