The following are Letters to the Editor published in the Oct. 27 issue of the Haliburton Echo.
Precision and planning pay off at drive-through
To the Editor,
Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, administrative staff and their partners and to the volunteers for your participation in what appeared to be a very successful endeavour. The precision and planning that took place echoed that of a military tattoo. The weather was not the best but the crew were not deterred and carried on regardless. Amazing how well things turn out when everyone works together. Thanks again.
Jack Sinclair
Haliburton
Impressed with efforts at flu shot clinic
To the Editor,
The flu vaccine drive-through clinic at the high school on Saturday was amazing!
The people involved were all cheerful, quick, and efficient, from the person directing traffic at the entrance, the information collectors and injectors, to the person ensuring safe departures.
We were also impressed by the patients we saw, following directions, with documents in hand and arms bared ready.
Thanks to all.
Jim and Joan Cochlin
Voice your concerns about LTC
To the Editor,
Canada’s long-term care system needs fixing, now. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the cracks and weaknesses that have existed for years.
Analysis (Globe & Mail June 25, 2020) shows the long-term care homes that fared better than Canada’s, were in other wealthy countries that made sweeping changes to their seniors’ facilities as soon as they shut their communities down.
A new report from the Conference Board of Canada, highlights some of the ways that Canada’s long-term care sector was set up to fail before the pandemic. It was a system with fewer nurses and personal support workers, insufficient training on the adequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and less coherent regulations than many other countries.
We are asking for a plan that ensures four hours of direct care, per resident, each day.
We are asking for a plan that ensures personal support workers receive permanent employment and a fair wage with benefits.
Over 10 years ago, long-term care residences were asked to get rid of their four-bed wards. Many facilities have not complied. These facilities could not adequately isolate infected residents and experienced the highest death rates. Apart from infection control, our seniors deserve living space more like home than an institution.
We are asking for a plan that ensures four-bed wards are eliminated.
Underfunding, understaffing and focus on profit instead of care have been wearing down the system for decades. The Canadian Armed Forces used words like “horrific” and “heartbreaking” to describe the conditions in some Ontario residences.
With long-term care now in the spotlight, we must seize the opportunity to do right by our vulnerable senior residents and the workers who provide their care. The time is now.
We are asking you for a plan that ensures this never happens again!
Our long-term care residents deserve a care system that puts their needs and dignity first.
Please join our campaign and express your concerns and/or personal stories about the crisis in long-term care, to your elected representatives. Don’t forget to mention that we need all provincial parties to support the minimum care Private Members Bill, Bill 13, the Time to Care Act, that is going to Second Reading in the legislature on Oct. 28, 2020.
Haliburton-CKL Long-Term Care Coalition hckllongtermcarecoalition@gmail.com
