Clinical Oversight Brought in for Summerland Care Facility
Interior Health has brought in a clinical consultant to Summerland Seniors Village as of this morning (December 1, 2012) to ensure appropriate care is being delivered to residents living at the facility. This consultant will remain on site to work with existing management and staff to address concerns and improve care.
"An overall review of the residential care section of the facility was already underway," says Karen Bloemink, Regional Director, Residential Services. "However, in light of recent concerns brought to us, we believe additional steps are required and we want to assure residents living at Summerland Seniors Village and their loved ones that we are taking these concerns seriously."
In addition to having a clinical consultant on site, the Ministry of Health is also investigating and taking steps to ensure residents living in other parts of this facility, whether assisted living or independent living, are also receiving safe and appropriate services. The Ministry of Health will be sending an inspector to the facility on Monday.
Summerland Seniors Village and the company that own the facility, Retirement Concepts, are cooperating fully with this work.
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Saturday, December 1, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Burnaby Hospital Report: Not Good
Burnaby Hospital report confirms deteriorating condition of hospital,
shows Liberals playing politics with public health
The controversial report released November 30th by the Burnaby Hospital Community Consultation Committee shows the B.C. Liberal government has failed on two fronts: by allowing conditions at the hospital to deteriorate dramatically while taking no action, and by allowing politics to come before the health care needs of the community, say the New Democrats.
"The deteriorating condition of the hospital has been known to Burnaby residents for years," said Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Kathy Corrigan. "People in Burnaby have been advocating for improvements to be made to the hospital, and a redevelopment plan was drafted in 2001. But the Liberals chose to sit idly by for over a decade and only now - in the months leading up to an election do they want to have the appearance they¹re going to act. It¹s shameful and disingenuous."
The consultation committee was announced in part as a response to health concerns at Burnaby Hospital that included repeated C. difficile outbreaks and resulted in department heads at the hospital publicly raising concerns, saying that as many as 473 infections and 84 deaths had been associated with C. difficile over two years.
But a series of leaked emails and documents revealed the committee was being manipulated behind-the-scenes by Liberal operatives with the goal of winning seats in multiple Burnaby ridings. The emails also highlighted that the report should shift the blame for the hospital¹s conditions on to the Fraser Health Authority and intentionally away from the Liberal government.
"Many people put their faith in the consultation committee process and contributed to the report with the genuine motivation of improving health services in the lower mainland," said New Democrat heath critic Mike Farnworth.
"By crassly putting politics ahead of the needs of the community, the Liberals have gone a long way to discredit themselves and the entire committee process. It¹s been a complete waste of time and resources and we know the Liberals have no genuine commitment to follow through. We knew once we saw those emails that this report would be self-serving and attempt to divert blame away from the government."
"It's quite unbelievable that the Liberal government took such a serious issue of concern to Burnaby residents and attempted to turn it in to a so-called 'winning issue' for them," said Corrigan. "Patients, staff and the community deserve far better."
Adrian Dix and B.C.'s New Democrats believe British Columbians deserve better, and the Liberal government isn't up to the challenge. It's time for a new government with new priorities, and New Democrats are ready to bring that change, one practical step at a time.
shows Liberals playing politics with public health
The controversial report released November 30th by the Burnaby Hospital Community Consultation Committee shows the B.C. Liberal government has failed on two fronts: by allowing conditions at the hospital to deteriorate dramatically while taking no action, and by allowing politics to come before the health care needs of the community, say the New Democrats.
"The deteriorating condition of the hospital has been known to Burnaby residents for years," said Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA Kathy Corrigan. "People in Burnaby have been advocating for improvements to be made to the hospital, and a redevelopment plan was drafted in 2001. But the Liberals chose to sit idly by for over a decade and only now - in the months leading up to an election do they want to have the appearance they¹re going to act. It¹s shameful and disingenuous."
The consultation committee was announced in part as a response to health concerns at Burnaby Hospital that included repeated C. difficile outbreaks and resulted in department heads at the hospital publicly raising concerns, saying that as many as 473 infections and 84 deaths had been associated with C. difficile over two years.
But a series of leaked emails and documents revealed the committee was being manipulated behind-the-scenes by Liberal operatives with the goal of winning seats in multiple Burnaby ridings. The emails also highlighted that the report should shift the blame for the hospital¹s conditions on to the Fraser Health Authority and intentionally away from the Liberal government.
"Many people put their faith in the consultation committee process and contributed to the report with the genuine motivation of improving health services in the lower mainland," said New Democrat heath critic Mike Farnworth.
"By crassly putting politics ahead of the needs of the community, the Liberals have gone a long way to discredit themselves and the entire committee process. It¹s been a complete waste of time and resources and we know the Liberals have no genuine commitment to follow through. We knew once we saw those emails that this report would be self-serving and attempt to divert blame away from the government."
"It's quite unbelievable that the Liberal government took such a serious issue of concern to Burnaby residents and attempted to turn it in to a so-called 'winning issue' for them," said Corrigan. "Patients, staff and the community deserve far better."
Adrian Dix and B.C.'s New Democrats believe British Columbians deserve better, and the Liberal government isn't up to the challenge. It's time for a new government with new priorities, and New Democrats are ready to bring that change, one practical step at a time.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Interior Health Apologizes!
From Mayor Lay and RDCK Area D Director Andy Shadrack
Interior Health apologizes, November 2, 2012 date still set.
(Victoria
The challenges we are facing in sustaining a 24/7 Emergency Department remain real and are significant. That being said, Interior Health belie ves it is important to have further discussions with community representatives and our physicians and staff about the best model for services in Kaslo movingforwurd. As we discussed today, Interior Health is committed to having that dialogue.
At this point, it is too early to say what this will mean for the November 2 implementation date of the new Emergency Department hours, but we will be starting discussions as soon as possible."
This public statement was made and read out by Dr Robert Halpenny, CEO, IHA, at a meeting between representatives of the IHA and the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospi tal District Board on Mon day, September 24th, 2012 in Victoria
The Union of BC Munici palities passed the follow ing resolution on Thursday, October 27th:
Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Health take steps to ensure the quality of medical services in small communities is re turned to, and maintained at a level that will ensure the public health and safety of our citizens is not at risk.
And bit further resolved that the Union Of BC Munici palities support a morato rium on unilateral changes being made by a regional health authority to any health centre or hospital so that negotiations can find a way to preserve these com munities' access to 24/7 emergency services.
And be it further resolved that the Provincial Minister of Health initiate an audit of all health authorities to ensure delivery of medi cal services to remote and rural British Columbians complies with require ments of Canada
Respectfully,
Greg Lay, Kaslo Mayor
and
WKBRHD Board member
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