Quebec missed 'numerous' opportunities to improve healthcare services for seniors during deadly first wave of COVID-19
During the onset of the pandemic, Quebec missed “numerous” opportunities to alleviate “excessively serious” consequences for seniors living in long-term care homes.
That’s according to Thursday’s preliminary report from Quebec's Health and Welfare Commissioner Joanne Castonguay.
The provincial government requested Castonguay investigate Quebec’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which in her report she calls “one of the worst crises that modern Quebec has ever known, if not the most serious of all.”
In her report, Castonguay recalled that during the first wave of the pandemic, before Aug. 13, 2020, the coronavirus claimed the lives of 5,745 people.
Of those deaths, approximately 90 per cent occurred in elder-care environments.
Those spaces included public and private facilities, as well as long-term elderly care units in hospitals.
The investigation examines why the province’s long-term care homes and health services for the elderly were unprepared to handle the pandemic.
The commissioner identified several key issues plaguing healthcare and support services for seniors.
According to the report, “fragmented” record keeping has made it difficult to hold healthcare providers accountable.
Without more precise documentation, Quebec’s Health and Wellbeing Commission (CSBE) “questions” whether services could have been improved.
“Without reliable and timely data and without an efficient assessment of the quality of care and services offered to the elderly, the government cannot make informed decisions,” wrote Castonguay in a Thursday news release.
AN ‘EXCACERBATED’ SYSTEM
What’s more, the commissioner says decades of studies into senior services have provided insight into the province’s shortcomings, yet not enough has been done to address them.
Issues of understaffing and a lack of integrated services “were known for a long time,” she wrote, “and the crisis has exacerbated them.”
“[Why hadn't Quebec] adopted these solutions before the crisis?” asked Castonguay. “I sincerely wish to bring a promising light on this question.”
HEALTH MINISTER RESPONDS
Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dubé thanked the commissioner in a news release Thursday.
“The report released today is a first step in [the commission’s] analysis of the functioning of our health network,” he said.
“Several elements contained in this report have already been implemented in the management of the second and third waves of the pandemic.”
Thursday’s release includes just a portion of the study. A final report, which is expected to include recommendations to improve the health-care system, is set to be released on Dec. 30, 2021.
-- With files from the Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.