Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas is asking the provincial government to better protect seniors in Ontario nursing homes. Gélinas cited a case where a senior developed huge bedsores and spent his final days in excruciating pain. She says this is not a one-off, as his family is part of a lawsuit with 82 others against this one particular chain of nursing homes.
Gélinas says the Wynne government has had plenty of opportunity to act, as families have been demanding change for years. She also notes Ontario’s Coroner has called for more staff to provide bedside care. That comes after investigating numerous homicides in the province. On top of that, Gélinas says front line workers know that residents need a guaranteed minimum standard of care.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Eric Hoskins, says the government is examining all long-term care homes across the province. He says the Auditor General has provided advice on how the government can target the homes where challenges or problems have been identified. He says the safety and well-being of seniors of Ontario is of great concern, especially in his role as Health Minister. Hoskins also notes the government has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to abuse or neglect.