A woman who was experiencing a third occurrence of HER2-positive breast cancer was denied funding by the Ministry for the chemotherapy drug Kadcyla, although it was prescribed by her oncologist. The Ministry would fund the drug for women experiencing a second occurrence of the disease, but not a …
Body
A woman who was experiencing a third occurrence of HER2-positive breast cancer was denied funding by the Ministry for the chemotherapy drug Kadcyla, although it was prescribed by her oncologist.
Failure to communicate
After the removal of a benign brain tumour, a woman in her 20s suffered a stroke that left her unsteady on her feet, needing assistance to use the bathroom, and with speech difficulties. She had to be hospitalized several times and was placed in the complex care unit of a local hospital for four …
Body
After the removal of a benign brain tumour, a woman in her 20s suffered a stroke that left her unsteady on her feet, needing assistance to use the bathroom, and with speech difficulties. She had to be hospitalized several times and was placed in the complex care unit of a local hospital for four months.
A sign of relief
A mother was concerned about the lack of support and funding for her 19-year-old son, who has autism and aggressive behavioural issues. He had recently been taken to hospital by police after an incident when he became agitated and violent. The family had short-term support workers funded by the …
Body
A mother was concerned about the lack of support and funding for her 19-year-old son, who has autism and aggressive behavioural issues. He had recently been taken to hospital by police after an incident when he became agitated and violent.
Welcome home
A senior contacted our Office after restrictions were placed on his visits with his wife at her long-term care home, after he raised concerns with a nurse about his wife’s care. Although we do not have direct jurisdiction over long-term care homes, Ombudsman staff made inquiries with a manager at a …
Body
A senior contacted our Office after restrictions were placed on his visits with his wife at her long-term care home, after he raised concerns with a nurse about his wife’s care.
Timely medicine
A mother whose son has a developmental disability and is medically fragile complained that her son’s medication costs were no longer being covered since he had been placed in a group home funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Her son’s physician’s application to the Exceptional …
Body
A mother whose son has a developmental disability and is medically fragile complained that her son’s medication costs were no longer being covered since he had been placed in a group home funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Retroactive relief
After the Trillium Drug Program denied a woman drug benefits that she had previously received, our staff raised the case with a senior analyst at the Ministry, who found the information she had submitted about her private insurer’s drug coverage had been inconsistent. The analyst worked with the …
Body
After the Trillium Drug Program denied a woman drug benefits that she had previously received, our staff raised the case with a senior analyst at the Ministry, who found the information she had submitted about her private insurer’s drug coverage had been inconsistent.
Fire protection
A man whose home and important documents were destroyed by fire complained that he was having trouble renewing his Ontario health card. He had been given a temporary card, but it was due to expire soon, and he needed a quick resolution because he suffers from seizures and requires frequent medical …
Body
A man whose home and important documents were destroyed by fire complained that he was having trouble renewing his Ontario health card.
Finding compassion
A woman complained to our Office on behalf of her 34-year-old daughter, who requires a specially-made drug at a cost of $200 per month. The drug is not covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit Program and her cardiologist’s request under the Exceptional Access Program was denied. After our Office …
Body
A woman complained to our Office on behalf of her 34-year-old daughter, who requires a specially-made drug at a cost of $200 per month.
Wires crossed
We received complaints from four residents in one building who each received catch-up bills from their municipal hydro company for $2,000-5,000. The company told us it had discovered a wiring error in the building that caused bills to go to the wrong units. A metering company had investigated, and …
Body
We received complaints from four residents in one building who each received catch-up bills from their municipal hydro company for $2,000-5,000.
Powerful gesture
A man was upset that it took the Ontario Electricity Support Program six months to process his application, even though its website says it should take 6-8 weeks. Our inquiries determined that the delay was actually exacerbated by the man providing an outdated email address on his application; …
Body
A man was upset that it took the Ontario Electricity Support Program six months to process his application, even though its website says it should take 6-8 weeks.
Got him covered
A man who had lost all of his identification a few years earlier sought our help because he was unable to get health coverage through OHIP. Ombudsman staff made inquiries with OHIP about how he could prove he was an Ontario resident. OHIP was able to verify that he was a permanent resident through …
Body
A man who had lost all of his identification a few years earlier sought our help because he was unable to get health coverage through OHIP.
Delay headache
A woman whose migraine medication is covered through the Exceptional Access Program contacted us because she was worried about how long it was taking the program to approve a renewal of her prescription. She feared she would run out of medication before a new supply was approved. Our staff …
Body
A woman whose migraine medication is covered through the Exceptional Access Program contacted us because she was worried about how long it was taking the program to approve a renewal of her prescription.
From Hope to Despair
From OMBUDSMAN REPORT A N D R É M A R I N | O M B U D S M A N O F O N T A R I O | A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 Whether the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s refusal to fund the drug Cystagon for treatment of Batten’s Disease is unreasonable and unfair. to …
Body
Investigation into the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's refusal to fund the drug Cystagon for treatment of Batten's Disease.
The LHIN Spin
Investigation into the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network’s use of community engagement in its decision-making process. OMBUDSMAN REPORT André Marin, Ombudsman of Ontario • July 2010 The LHIN Spin …
Body
Investigation into the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network’s use of community engagement in its decision-making process.
Limited funding of Herceptin
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care agreed to fund Herceptin for patients with breast cancer tumours of one centimetre in diameter or less. The Ombudsman suspended his investigation in May 2011, but he continues to monitor complaints and developments on the issue. Case update - Annual report …
Body
Investigation into the province’s limited funding of Herceptin.
Non-emergency medical transportation services
Investigation into complaints about patient safety, infection control and other issues involving the vehicles that transport non-emergency patients, focusing on whether adequate measures are in place to protect the public. In June 2011, the ministries of Transportation and Health and Long-Term Care …
Body
Investigation into complaints about patient safety, infection control and other issues involving the vehicles that transport non-emergency patients, focusing on whether adequate measures are in place to protect the public.
In the Dark
Ombudsman RepORt André Marin, Ombudsman of Ontario • May 2015 Investigation into the transparency of Hydro One’s billing practices and the timeliness and effectiveness of its process for responding to customer concerns https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Resources/Reports/In-the-Dark.aspx?lang=en-CA Find …
Body
Investigation into the transparency of Hydro One’s billing practices and the timeliness and effectiveness of its process for responding to customer concerns.
Long-term care inspections system was overwhelmed by first wave of COVID-19, ombudsman finds (Toronto Star)
Kristin Rushowy, Queen's Park Bureau This link opens in a new tab Toronto Star September 7, 2023 With winter on the horizon and an expected uptick in COVID-19 cases, it’s time for the government to ensure inspections and other improved safety measures are in place for long-term care homes in the …
Living conditions ‘like hell’: Ontario Ombudsman reports on pandemic LTC inspection failures (The Trillium)
Jessica Smith Cross This link opens in a new tab The Trillium September 7, 2023 At the height of the first wave, a staff person at the Orchard Villa long-term care home reported to a provincial government inspector that “there is no staff to feed and care for residents, and that living …
Ontario ombudsman urges stronger enforcement of LTC rules (Global News)
Allison Jones The Canadian Press September 7, 2023 Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care needs to ensure in-person inspections of nursing homes can take place in a future pandemic and that inspectors can immediately act when residents are at risk of ongoing serious harm, the province’s ombudsman …
