Health Bulletin
This document was published under a previous government.
Ontario Launching First Phase of the Personal Support Worker Registry
Registry Will Improve Transparency for Patients and Families
February 22, 2018
Ontario is launching the first phase of the personal support worker (PSW) registry to help assure families that the PSWs caring for their loved ones have the necessary training.
PSWs are one of the largest groups of health care providers in Ontario, providing frontline care services to some of the province’s most vulnerable citizens.
The purpose of the registry is to verify training and education credentials of PSWs, to provide oversight and accountability and to ensure that all PSWs follow the same code of conduct. This first stage of the registry will focus on a select number of employers and will be expanded to include all PSWs. The registry will be complete in December 2019.
The Michener Institute at the University Health Network in Toronto will work with PSW education providers and public sector employers to implement the first phase. Founded in 1958 and governed by the University Health Network, Michener is a specialist post-secondary institution with expertise in health sector certification.
Quotes
“We continue to support the important work that personal support workers provide to our communities and health care system. The registry will give the people of Ontario the confidence and reassurance that the care they choose to receive is of the highest quality and standard.”
Quick Facts
- The PSW Registry will include a transparent complaints process for patients and families to report and resolve complaints involving PSWs once fully implemented.
- Since 2013, the government has expanded its investment in home and community care by about $250 million per year, in addition to ongoing funding of more than $5 billion.
- A continued investment of $250 million in 2017-18 for community and personal support services will help to meet increased demand and support faster and more equitable access to services across the province.
- On April 1, 2016, Ontario established a new minimum base wage of $16.50/hour for personal support workers in the home and community sector.
- A public website with general information about the Personal Support Worker Registry of Ontario has been created at www.psw-on.ca.
Learn More
- Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care
- Personal Support Worker Registry of Ontario
- The Michener Institute of Education at UHN
For More Information
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline at 1-866-532-3161
In Toronto, 416-314-5518
TTY 1-800-387-5559
In Toronto, TTY 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
