CUPE calls for Saskatchewan’s long-term care facilities to remain in the public sector | Globalnews.ca

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is asking the Saskatchewan government to reconsider a private option for Regina Pioneer Village.

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Last week, the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a request for proposal to find proponents to provide up to 375 standard long-term care beds in Regina.

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“We are committed to providing the best possible services for Regina’s long-term care residents, now and in the future,” said Minister for Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley.

“This work will help meet their needs in spaces that support their comfort and ensure safe and healthy environments for both residents and staff.”

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Standard LTC refers to facilities and services to support individuals who are no longer able to live independently in the community and require 24/7 nursing or personal care and meet the SHA approved LTC placement criteria.

Bashir Jalloh, president of CUPE, said the move to for-profit long-term care will not cause a number of problems for Regina Pioneer Village.

“Their goal is to make a profit,” Jalloh said. “So therefore they cut corners in terms of staffing. They have fewer staff. Their obligation is to their shareholders”.

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Jalloh also explained how the switch to the private system could affect prices for both residents and businesses.

“How many of us can pay the amount of three or four thousand dollars to go to some of these facilities,” he said.

“We want all long-term care facilities to remain in the public system where there is a minimum staffing level requirement, where there are policies and guidelines for these residents.”

In the future, Jalloh plans to meet with the government and pressure them to reconsider the situation.

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He said that the perfect example of why they feel this move should be avoided has happened very recently.

“At the very least, we should learn from COVID-19,” Jalloh explained.

“We know that COVID decimated our health care system, all of us, every tissue. But we know it was much more serious in this private, for-profit long-term care facility. We just have to look at Regina here. We know what happened to extended health care in Regina, where their goal is to make money for shareholders. And we know how many residents died.”


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