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Government opens door to erosion of seniors' care
Nurses are concerned publicly-funded private facilities will be allowed to run away from their responsibilities under the public healthcare system
Nurses are concerned the provincial government is enabling publicly-funded, privately-owned long term care facilities to run away from their responsibilities under the public health care system. The government is allowing these entities, which are affiliated to BC's public health authorities, to pull out of the Health Employers' Association of BC.
Once outside HEABC, they'll be free to cut costs by reducing staffing and care standards for their residents. They'll also be freed from their provincial contract obligations for employee wages, benefits and workplace rights when existing contracts expire. (The provincial nurses' contract, which covers the almost 200 affected nurses, won't expire until March 31, 2012, but contracts covering other workers come due March 31, 2010).
The facilities receive public subsidies to place residents in some or all of their beds. They're anxious to cut costs and increase profits, not only by using government revenues but also by charging residents for more services.
"This is a giant step backwards for the residents of these facilities and for nurses and other staff," says Debra McPherson, president of the BC Nurses' Union. "Without the obligation to meet provincial care standards, and with the province removing minimum staffing requirements from its continuing care regulations, we'll suffer an erosion in staffing levels and care for residents. The move will also diminish workplace conditions. That's short-sighted, because without meeting a provincial standard, these employers won't be able to attract the nurses they need.
"In fully private long term care homes we've seen an erosion of standards. We've had to battle continuously to protect our members and residents. Now the government is opening the door to the same problems in facilities that receive public funds."
Affected facilities include:
- 4347 Investments Ltd. (Point Grey Private Hospital)
- 498224 B.C. Inc. (Braddan Private Hospital)
- 577681 B.C. Inc. (Lakeshore Care Centre)
- Acacia Ty Mawr
- Beacon Hill Villa
- Cartier House Care Centre Ltd.
- Chantelle Management Ltd. (Belvedere Care Centre, Cerwydden Care Centre, Grand Street Lodge)
- Dufferin Care Centre
- Evergreen Cottages
- Fraser Valley Care Centre Management Ltd.
(Eden Care Centre; Chilliwack, B.C.)
- Haven Hill Retirement Centre (ACMCHJ Holdings Ltd.)
- Hilton Villa Care Centre Ltd.
- Kaigo Retirement Communities (Heritage Square, Pioneer Square)
- Lake Country Lodge Ltd.
- Pine Grove Care Centre Ltd.
- Renfrew Care Centre
- Sherwood Crescent Manor Ltd.
- Reveria Long Term Care (Central Care Corporation:
Arbutus Care Centre, Capilano Care Centre,
Holyrood Manor, James Bay Lodge, Lakeview Care Centre, Sandringham Hospital)
- Simon Fraser Lodge Inc.
- The RNA Group of Companies
- West Shore Laylum Management Ltd. (West Shore Laylum Care Centre; Ladner, B.C.)
- Windsor Care Centre Inc.
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