The minister of health and wellness has appointed an expert advisory panel to look at ways to improve the quality of long-term care in Nova Scotia.
Randy Delorey says recent concerns left government looking at what they can do differently.
“We want to make sure people living in our long-term care homes are getting the best care possible,” said Delorey in a release. “Recent concerns have left us looking at what we can be doing differently and these experts will help guide us.”
Delorey didn’t elaborate on the concerns, however this announcement comes several months after the province put in new protocols surrounding pressure wound reporting in long-term care facilities.
That move followed the death of a 40-year-old long term care patient who died after a bedsore became infected.
The three member panel will advise on the recruitment and retention of long-term care staff, recommend appropriate staffing levels, and identify evidence-based solutions to improve quality of care.
The three-member panel includes:
– Janice Keefe, chair-director of Mount Saint Vincent University’s Nova Scotia Centre on Aging
– Dr. Greg Archibald – family doctor, wound care expert and head of Dalhousie University’s Department of Family Medicine
– Cheryl Smith – nurse practitioner, educator focusing on polypharmacy and dementia care
The panel has been asked to report back with recommendations by November 30.
There are about 6,900 nursing home beds and 900 residential care facility beds in Nova Scotia that serve about 11,000 people each year.
Meanwhile the leader of the Nova Scotia New Democrats is pleased with the news that government is looking into issues with long-term care facilities.
But Gary Burrill says the announcement of an advisory panel didn’t come as a surprise.
“I think if the government did not hear and register the outcry across the province they would have to be entirely deaf,” says Burrill.
Burrill says he often hears from constituents on issues with staffing levels and the type of care received.
Over the past few years the NDP has been raising concern surrounding the funding of long-term care facilities while the McNeil government has maintained their focus is on home-care initiatives.
Burrill says that’s important but a significant part of the population will still need long-term care, it just might be at a later time in their life.
He says that brings its own problems too, as many seniors are entering long-term care facilities at an older age and a frailer state.
The party plans on introducing legislation to set minimum levels of support staff required in facilities.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
