Reporting on the June 20 Health Services Committee, its chair noted that, given the cost, the District of Muskoka should consider building its own housing for long-term care agency staff.
“We had a report with regard to staffing agency accommodation and award of contract. We give an awful lot of money to this award of contract. We might want to consider building something ourselves to house our staff, just wanted to throw that out there,” said District Councillor and Health Services Committee Chair Terry Glover at the July District Council meeting.
Glover was referring to a report by Sandra Dalema, District Manager of Strategies and Initiatives, seeking permission to “negotiate the final terms of and enter into agreements with the successful proponents for Invitation to Tender.” The proponents are a numbered company and Jypsy Inn, and the contract would span over an 18-month period.
In her report, she noted that because of long-term care staffing shortages at the Pines and Fairvern, reliance on high-priced temporary staffing agencies continues to be a requirement in the full staffing model of the long-term care homes. As a result, staff issued an invitation to tender in order to “source a more cost-effective approach for agency staff accommodation. Accommodation bidders were required to meet set criteria, including, but not limited to the following:
- Up to 5-10 available rooms for 365 nights per year;
- Onsite parking;
- Housekeeping between stays;
- 24-hour self-check in with individual security code; and
- Competitive pricing.”
According to bid results, “Competitive pricing from successful bidders ranged from $97 to $175 per night for one bed or $121 to $200 per night for two beds. Previously, using only local motels and utilizing corporate rates, average motel costs ranged from $130 to $220 per night for one bed, and $160 to $250 per night for two beds,” according to the report.
The proposed contract will cover the period from August 1, 2024, to January 31, 2026. “Using the average number of lodging rooms required per night for both homes for the first quarter of 2024, staff estimate the total contract value to range from a low of approximately $266,000 to a maximum of approximately $512,000,” noted Dalema. “The actual expenditure incurred will be dependant upon the number of lodging rooms required and the District is under no obligation to pay for lodging rooms not required,” she added.
You can view the report HERE.
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