Seniors are suffering as staff at long term care homes don’t have adequate time to offer necessary one-on-one care.
Katrina Peterson is the Vice-President of Unifor Local 324, representing workers at Princess Court in Dryden.
Peterson says the province is facing a crisis situation saying there are a few common denominators among health care sectors including lack of staff, funding restraints, ministry constraints, and increasing decline in providing quality care for residents.
She also says no matter how many beds the province opens, there is no clear plan on how to recruit and retain staff.
Peterson mentions they are putting a committee together to address those issues as there is a struggle to fill positions.
Another aspect she talks about is the sector being bogged down by provincial over-regulations, unnecessary paperwork and stifling inspections.
Peterson notes this has resulted in delayed meals, rushed care, missed baths, lack of toiletry, physical and mental hardships, medication errors and no housekeeping.
She is calling on the Ford government to provide tuition breaks for students looking to enter the field, recruitment incentives and a more favourable funding model.
