October 26th, 2020
October 26th, 2020
SCARBOROUGH - The Ford government must stop delaying and take immediate action to stop repeated concerning violations and elder abuse in long-term care, said Doly Begum, NDP MPP for Scarborough Southwest, in the following open letter to the minister of long-term care. A CBC Marketplace investigation found repeat violations in long-term care and continued abuse and neglect at Craiglee Nursing Home in Scarborough Southwest.
The Honourable Merrilee Fullerton
Minister of Long-Term Care
6th Floor – 200 University Ave
Toronto, ON M7A 1T7
Dear Minister Fullerton,
I am certain that, like hundreds of thousands of Ontarians, you have also viewed last Friday’s CBC Marketplace’s investigation on repeat violations in long-term care homes. I was appalled to see the continued abuse and neglect at Craiglee Nursing Home, which is in my riding of Scarborough Southwest. But many of us know that this is not an isolated event. You will recall in 2018, I brought these concerns in the Provincial Legislature to your government’s attention and demanded immediate action be taken to ensure the safety and dignity of seniors in our province.
Over the past two and half years, after meeting with long-term care residents, their family members and caregivers on multiple occasions, I asked you and your government to take swift action addressing the poor living conditions and lack of resources in long-term care homes. You have also had the full report from the Wettlaufer Inquiry and the 91 recommendations, which clearly state the urgency with specific steps necessary to address these problems. However, despite the multiple requests and extensive amount of evidence, your government has taken little action leaving vulnerable residents in dire conditions.
Families in my riding are worried sick about the safety and well-being of their loved ones, who reside in long-term care homes. While these issues pre-date the pandemic, COVID-19 has created a full-blown crisis in long-term care. No senior should ever experience abuse like this, and yet it happens repeatedly without any serious consequences, as CBC reported.
This is unacceptable.
What we saw on CBC Marketplace was neglect and elder abuse. It also reflects the systemic issues in long-term care, from lack of training, understaffing, to chronic underfunding. This has also been exacerbated by the lack of unannounced inspections and the fact that there are no consequences when homes ignore such gross negligence.
As the Minister, you have the provincial authority under the Long-Term Cares Homes Act 2007 to revoke licenses, issue fines, or investigate on reports of abuse. You can also use your authority to refer concerns where a criminal investigation may be necessary.
We cannot wait for the federal government to intervene with deploying the Red Cross into a home in crisis or follow through on promises to amend the Criminal Code to bring charges for neglect or abuse in long-term care homes. We need immediate action and that is within your purview as the Minister of Long-Term Care.
I am writing to you today to ask for a detailed plan with specific actions and deadlines for concrete steps you will take to address elder abuse in long-term care homes to ensure that the long-term care operators are held accountable and residents are safe.
Given the urgency of the issue, I would appreciate a response as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
(Original Signed)
Doly Begum
Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Southwest
CC: Honourable Premier Doug Ford