Today, NDP Leader Ryan Meili called the government’s “internal review” into long-term care standards in Saskatchewan an insult, and called on the Sask. Party government to do a proper review of long-term care. He also committed to appointing an independent Seniors’ Advocate and introducing legislated minimum care standards.
“This government has spent years dismissing the calls of families and seniors for better, safer care across the province,” said Meili. “It is an insult to everyone who has stepped forward with good-faith concerns about the abysmal level of care this government provides to announce an ‘internal review’ without telling anyone what they are reviewing and who will be involved.”
An SHA statement yesterday indicated that this review of guidelines is currently underway. Health Minister Jim Reiter has dismissed the distinction between the current unenforceable guidelines and the legislated care standards they got rid of in 2011 as “semantics.” Scott Moe has likewise stated that existing guidelines “are working.”
“The Sask. Party has said repeatedly that their guidelines are good enough, but we’ve heard from family after family that a lack of care standards and inadequate funding mean people are hurting,” said Meili. “Internal reviews are a part of the problem. We need independent oversight in the form of a Seniors’ Advocate, legislated standards of care, dedicated resources to ensure seniors get the care they need, and building a home care system that allows more seniors to safely stay in their homes.”
The NDP opposition has pushed repeatedly for action to address the understaffing in Saskatchewan’s long-term care homes for seniors.
“Our seniors deserve better – especially during a pandemic,” said Meili. “They’re bearing the greatest risk, and they’ve made great sacrifices, enduring isolation and disruption of care. We owe it to them to do better.”
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.