Macdonald encourages seniors to speak to Ombudsman

By CAROLYN GRANT
Kimberley Daily Bulletin

September 5, 2008

Ombudsman Kim Carter has announced that an investigation into seniors’ care has been launched.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald says that the level of dissatisfaction with seniors’ care in this area indicates a need for such an investigation.

“I am very pleased that the Ombudsman is going to do this investigation.  The Ombudsman is independent of government and political parties and will be able to look objectively at the situation.  Senior’s care should be at the top of the priority list,” he said.  “This will put the facts on the table.”

Macdonald says that while the Ombudsman has tried to set up ways for seniors to participate in the process, if anyone has difficulties with that, his office would be more than happy to facilitate participation.

“It’s a good opportunity to give information about the seniors’ situation and to do it in a way that you don’t have to put your individual case out in public,” he said.  “We often find that when it comes time to put a story out in the public it’s difficult for people.  My understanding is that you can speak to the Ombudsman anonymously.  It’s a systemic report she’s producing.  It’s about any seniors issue people feel the government could improve upon.

“My constituent caseworker will work directly with seniors to attempt to resolve issues with care providers and that includes working with the Patient Advocate for Interior Health or with the Registrar for Assisted Living, but if that fails we often recommend that the Ombudsman’s office be contacted.  It does not surprise me that there has been a flood of complaints to the Ombudsman’s office as seniors find that their concerns have not been handled satisfactorily by healthcare organizations.”