A room for every resident, significant staff increases needed in long-term care

HALIFAX -- Today’s review of long-term care in Nova Scotia and the effects of the first wave of COVID-19 on the sector show that serious investments must be made to improve the lives of residents. For several months, the NDP Caucus has been pushing for increased staffing in all long-term care facilities and infrastructure investment to ensure every resident has a room of their own.

“Today’s reviews confirm what has been said by experts for years: we must invest in long-term care in our province,” said NDP Health spokesperson Susan Leblanc. “The first wave of COVID-19 in long-term care was devastating for those at Northwood and for all residents of long-term care who have had to sacrifice recreation time, visits with loved ones, and more. Going forward we have to make sure residents of long-term care get the care they deserve.”

The report recommends that the Liberal government must create a human resources plan for the long-term care sector, and set and fund standard minimum care hours. The NDP’s Care and Dignity Act, tabled in September 2018, would legislate a minimum level of care so that each resident receives at least 4.1 hours of care each day.

“Today’s reviews add to the pile of reports calling on the Liberal government to make the changes needed to staffing and care levels in long-term care facilities,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “A room in long-term care is a person’s home and we should make sure that people are able to live a safe and healthy life when they are living in the nursing homes of Nova Scotia.”

The Liberal government did not open a single new nursing home bed for their first six years in power, leaving up to 20 per cent of hospital beds occupied by people who need spots in long-term care but can’t get them.

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