Senior Care Overlooked in Emergency Session

COVID-19 has exposed the Achilles heel of our National health system – the vulnerability of seniors and workers in long-term care residences.
Neither the King government nor Opposition members have raised the critical issue of Senior Care in nursing homes during the first week of the emergency sitting of the legislature. This needs to change.
Questions focussing on an indiscretion made be the Minister of Health two months ago are an old-style ‘gotcha’ kind of politics. This issue was raised and addressed then and does not need to come up simply as a way to embarrass him.
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of Canadian deaths have been in nursing homes. Most of these deaths have been residents and caregivers have also lost their lives. The shocking report submitted by the Canadian Armed Forces exposing deplorable conditions and elderly neglect in nursing homes has brought national attention to the issue of Senior care. The vulnerability of Seniors and the staff who attend to them is now in sharp focus in the minds of Islanders and Canadians. It is appropriate and timely for the King government to ensure Seniors in our province are receiving the quality care they need and deserve. A senior care strategy needs to include fair wages for nursing home workers, appropriate staffing levels that provide high quality care for residents and oversight to guarantee standards.
Premier King should order an independent and comprehensive review of all Island Seniors homes and our strategy for long-term care. We cannot wait until tragedy strikes before action is taken.
Residents and their families deserve the best levels of care; health care and support workers who provide this essential service should also expect support for their work. The pandemic has highlighted the challenges and the province needs a sustainable strategy for residents and workers.
Sincerely,
Joe Byrne
Leader, Island New Democrats
(902) 367-8228 or info@ndppei.ca
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