Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald discussed the Ombudsman investigation into seniors' care in the province during Soup Day held at the Invermere Seniors' Hall on Oct. 9. lindsay mcpherson/echo photo Earlier this month, Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald visited a Soup Day at the Invermere Seniors’ Hall to address the Ombudsman investigation into the state of seniors’ care in the province.
By Lindsay McPherson - Invermere Valley Echo
Published: October 28, 2008 1:00 PM
“We don’t do the job we should in looking after seniors,” the MLA told the attendees. “We need to work together to not only say these things are important to society, but actually make them happen.”
The MLA said his office has received complaints regarding residential care, couples being separated, cleanliness and food quality.
Macdonald urged all present to contact the Ombudsman office regarding any issues they face, from property taxes to Pharmacare.
In August, Ombudsman Kim Carter announced that her office would be launching a comprehensive investigation into seniors’ care in B.C. The Ombudsman systemic investigation will look into various aspects of seniors’ care, such as access to services, standards of care in facilities, and monitoring and enforcing the provincial standards for care, as well as looking at how information regarding seniors’ care is provided to the public and those affected.
Once the report is complete, it will be presented in the legislature, allowing both parties to discuss solutions.
“There’s nothing any government can do to not allow what she says to come to light,” Macdonald added.
As part of the investigative process, the Ombudsman has posted a questionnaire about seniors’ care at www.ombudsman.bc.ca, to which the public is invited to respond in confidence.
People who have a specific complaint about seniors’ care services in British Columbia may submit a complaint online or by calling 1-800-567-3247.