Internal “review” into long-term care an insult: Meili

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.”

Latest posts

Undergraduate Students In Saskatchewan Are Paying The Second-Highest Tuition Canada 
REGINA – Today, as a new post-secondary school year begins, Carla Beck's team is standing alongside students to call out the extreme cost of tuition in Saskatchewan after 20 years of this Sask. Party mismanagement and failure to fund post-secondary. 

Carla Beck’s Team Calls On Local MLAs To Stand Up To Premier, Education Minister & Demand Answers 
PRINCE ALBERT— As Scott Moe and his Education Minister stand behind a decision to completely withhold information on the state of Saskatchewan schools, Carla Beck’s team is calling out Sask. Party MLAs in Prince Albert to demand transparency for the families they were elected to represent. 
Wednesday Marks First Day Of School For Many Saskatchewan Students 
SASKATOON — Saskatchewan families and school divisions deserve answers about the condition of their schools, but the Sask. Party government has once again chosen secrecy over transparency, returning 160 blank pages in response to a Freedom of Information request seeking information about the state of school buildings across Saskatchewan. 

Sask. Party Awards Contracts To Two Out-Of-Province Companies Even In Face Of Massive Costs For Consumers, Widespread Pushback 
REGINA – Despite an avalanche of public outrage against Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison's coal catastrophe, the Sask. Party government is pressing ahead.  While every independent report, and their own appointed Rate Review Panel, have made clear that their coal plan is the most expensive and highest risk option, Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison are ploughing ahead.  

Share this post