During question period at Queen's Park earlier today, NDP Health and Long-Term Care critic France Gélinas demanded Premier Kathleen Wynne take action to stop tragedies and systemic problems in Ontario’s long-term care homes.
The Nickel Belt MPP's comments come in the wake of an Ontario man's family taking private, for-profit nursing home provider Revera to court after the death of Arthur Jones.
“In Ontario, we should be able to provide quality care to seniors living in long-term care homes. But that’s not happening today,” Gélinas said.
According to media reports, Jones, 68, suffered from “sepsis and suspected pneumonia,” and died two weeks after being transferred to hospital from the Revera-operated home where he'd been living. Revera operates 53 long-term care homes in Ontario with 6,000 residents.
“Arthur Jones moved to a private, for-profit long-term care home. Soon after he suffered from malnutrition and dehydration, he fell repeatedly, and he developed a huge bedsore," said Gélinas.
"Mr. Jones spent his final week, in excruciating pain, in hospital. How can this happen to any long-term care resident under this government’s watch?”
Gélinas called for big changes in long-term care, indicating that Arthur Jones is not alone.
His family is part of a lawsuit with, so far, 82 separate allegations against a private, for-profit long-term care chain.
The suit claims $200 million in damages on behalf of Jones' daughter Lori Dekervor and any future complainants who come forward to join a possible class action lawsuit. Lawyers for the family are seeking to have it certified in Ontario Superior Court.
Other instances of alleged negligence at Revera homes listed in the lawsuit include rationing of diapers and along filthy, foul-smelling wheelchairs and walkers.
“This Liberal government has had plenty of opportunity to act. Families have demanded change for years. The coroner, after investigating numerous homicides, has called for more staff to provide bedside care," Gélinas said.
"And frontline workers know that residents need a guaranteed minimum standard of care. What will it take for this government to finally step up and prevent anyone else from suffering the indignity and pain that Arthur Jones suffered in a private, for-profit long-term care home?”
