Our Background

Personal support workers (PSWs) are vital members of Ontario’s health care system and, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, worked tirelessly to keep Ontario’s most vulnerable residents safe. With over 100,000 workers in the profession, they are pivotal in providing high-quality care to Ontarians.

Enactment of the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority Act, 2021 recognizes the important role that PSWs play in the health care system. The creation of HSCPOA strengthens health human resources oversight by ensuring quality care, consistency of education and training of PSWs and transparency for the public regarding the PSW workforce. Through regulation, the public can be confident that registered PSWs deliver safe, competent, ethical, high-quality care to patients, clients and residents in their homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or environments where care is provided.