The MPP for Bruce Grey Owen Sound feels concerns he shared from health care workers were dismissed by the premier.
Bill Walker spoke during question period Tuesday about some of the testimony from front line staff during pre-budget hearings.
Walker says a representative of workers in long term care homes told the hearing a resident died at the hand of another resident because adequate supervision was impossible based on staffing levels. Walker says other residents were neglected or hurt for the same reason.
He says the Liberal government was dismissive of the concerns he raised about health workers feeling burned out and overwhelmed.
"Hank Beekhuis of the Christian Labour Association, representing workers in long-term-care homes, told us that they ‘Had a resident die at the hand of another resident who was not, and could not, based on staffing levels, be adequately supervised,’" says Walker. "Beekhuis also said they ‘have had residents neglected or hurt because of this pervasive problem. It puts workers in a difficult and often unsafe situation."
Walker is calling on the premier to ensure safe staffing levels in nursing homes to improve patient care.
"During pre-budget consultations, Ken Lewenza Sr., a former union president, said the government has a role to provide some humanity, some moral responsibility, some ethical standards, to those that we care for," Walker reminded the premier. "If we can’t take care of seniors and our most disabled, then the reality is, we’re not meeting our moral compass."
