Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

August 28th, 2008

Ombudsman to act on complaints about seniors care

As a result of the number and seriousness of complaints made to the Office of the Ombudsman over recent months, Ombudsman Kim Carter has launched a systemic investigation into seniors’ care.  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,” said Macdonald.  “The Ombudsman is independent of government and political parties and will be able to look objectively at the situation.”

The Ombudsman’s investigation will look into the operation of residential and assisted living facilities and the provision of home support services.

“At the beginning of the year, I held a series of meetings with seniors in the area and consistently I heard stories from seniors and their families about serious issues with care received in residential facilities and from home support services,” continued Macdonald.  “The Ombudsman says that her office has received more than 50 complaints since late June alone.”

Contacting the Ombudsman is often the last step in the complaints process for constituents needing assistance.

“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.”

The Office of the Ombudsman is asking for further input into the investigation on seniors’ care and is encouraging seniors and their families to continue to send their stories.

“My office is available to assist people in accessing the Ombudsman’s services.  If people need help to fill out the complaints forms or need access to the internet, we can help.”

Macdonald also plans to visit each of the communities in the area this September and will meet with seniors at that time.

“Seniors’ issues are important to me and I want to do what I can to assist people in being part of the Ombudsman’s investigation.”