Quebec government abandons the idea of nationalizing all private long-term care facilities
Quebec is abandoning the idea of nationalizing all private long-term care facilities (CHSLDs).
Premier Francois Legault often mentioned the idea during the pandemic, particularly following the disastrous situation at the CHSLD Herron.On Friday in Magog, in Quebec's Eastern Townships, while making an announcement on sports infrastructures, the premier said that he does not intend to repair what works, as the expression goes.
"I think it's a case-by-case basis because there are private long-term care facilities that are providing excellent services, and there are long-term care facilities that are not providing good services," said Legault. "Either they improve their service or we look at the possibility of nationalizing them."
The premier said he wanted to stay away from a wall-to-wall approach.
"I am not dogmatic," he said. "There are parties that I will not name for whom the private sector is not to be touched. I come from the private sector, and there are private CHSLDs that do a good job. The important thing is that the CISSS and CIUSSS properly supervise the services provided by both private and public CHSLDs. It is their responsibility, but it will be on a case-by-case basis."
ABUSE
However, nationalizing a CHSLD does not guarantee better quality.
Highlighting this fact, Legault was previously called upon to react to the Québec ombudsman's report, which revealed serious shortcomings, in some cases amounting to mistreatment, in the public CHSLDs under the leadership of the CIUSSS de l'Estrie.
The report, which is dated March 17 but was made public Thursday by the ombudsman, does not identify any particular CHSLD, although it does mention surprise visits to three of these establishments, which are no longer identified.
The report refers to all 24 public CHSLDs of the CIUSSS de l'Estrie, without making any distinction between them.
The report mentions, among other things, a lack of assistance to users for hydration or feeding, a lack of response to calls for help to go to the bathroom and even practices of isolation.
'TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE'
"I have read the report," said Legault. "It is totally unacceptable. CIUSSS has been contacted. I want to know first of all -- because I want them to be accountable, the CIUSSS executives -- how it is that this happened and that there are consequences."
Legault said he has been assured by CIUSSS "that there is an action plan to address all the problems that are in the report," but that is not enough for him.
Legault was particularly upset that such events are occurring "after everything we have been through in the last two years."
He said that the problem is "first and foremost a question of management: we cannot tolerate that a CIUSSS tolerates this kind of situation in CHSLDs," and he did not rule out the possibility of requesting an inquiry if necessary.
In its report, the ombudsman pointed out that the situation in the CHSLDs has been aggravated by a severe staff shortage and that the CIUSSS has to develop contingency plans "to avoid a break in service in certain CHSLDs".
The ombudsman noted that this situation has led to the exhaustion and distress of staff and managers, the majority of whom mentioned that the care and services offered in the CIUSSS CHSLDs were no longer aimed at respecting good quality practices. According to them, the care teams now only seek to ensure a minimal level of security and supervision of the people in their homes.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 6, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.