Local petition to fix nursing homes surpasses 2,400 signatures in three weeks
A petition started by the local Haliburton-City of Kawartha Lakes Long-Term Care Coalition has received more than 2,400 signatures in its first three weeks of being circulated.
The petition calls upon local signatories to support measures prescribed by local residents, the Registered Nursing Association of Ontario, and the province’s COVID-19 Commission including:
-ensuring four hours of direct care per resident per day;
-increasing infection prevention and health care expertise;
-improving working conditions;
-reinstating thorough inspections with consistent enforcement;
-changing nursing home culture to being more resident-centred, family/caregiver-centered, and rights-based; and
-taking the profit motive out of long-term care, moving taxpayer money from private shareholders to investing in public care.
To date, the petition has been available to sign online and also at Pharmasave in Minden.
“We are very encouraged with this incredible level of support for fixing long-term care,” notes Lyn Ritchie of Haliburton, a member of the coalition who was key in drafting the petition.
Kawartha Lakes representative of the coalition, Mike Perry, agrees: “Clearly, fixing long-term care is top-of-mind for local residents minds. The survey numbers demonstrate the level of concern. People want nursing home care to change in very specific ways.”
The petition reflects a “Declaration to Fix Long-Term Care” passed unanimously by some 50 local residents who participated in a virtual town hall hosted by the coalition in February.
The coalition, formed last May by residents of Haliburton County and Kawartha Lakes concerned with the state of nursing home care across the province, has enjoyed broad support of its work including recently from:
-Concerned Citizens of Haliburton County;
-Canadian Federation of University Women; and
-Haliburton County Council.
The coalition is currently awaiting a motion of support from Haliburton Highlands Health Services.
Representatives from the coalition have also met with local MP Jamie Schmale and MPP Laurie Scott, to press the issue and present the views of the residents of Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes who have expressed their concerns and ideas.
To sign the petition, visit: www.ltcneedsyou.ca; email: ; or call Bonnie (705-286-2414) Haliburton or Mike (705-328-4479) Kawartha Lakes to get involved.
