NSNDP

January 15th, 2019

Expert panel says more staff needed in nursing homes

NDP leader urges Premier to take immediate action

HALIFAX- The expert panel on long-term care has recognized the urgent need for more staff in long-term care facilities in Nova Scotia.

“Families have described the need for more staff in our long-term care facilities and this report makes it clear that the Liberals have failed to provide what is needed,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “The panelists have echoed what many families have already said - staffing in our long-term care facilities is in crisis. The McNeil Liberals have refused to recognize this crisis. I hope this report serves as a wake-up call.”

The NDP Caucus introduced legislation this fall to introduce staff-to-patient ratios in long-term care, but the Liberals refused to pass the bill into law.

“I want to thank the panel for their work, and urge the Premier to immediately increase staffing to our long-term care facilities,” said Burrill. “Residents have waited long enough. This investment is long overdue.”

The Liberal government cut more than $5 million from the budgets of nursing homes over their time in office, and have failed to open a single new nursing home bed.

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