Please Click Here to find recent news, events and information from CUPE Ontario.
TO: SAULT STE. MARIE MPP DAVID ORAZIETTI
FROM: CUPE ONTARIO
RE: IMPACT OF CUTS TO RESIDENT CARE AT THE FJ DAVEY HOME
Dear MPP David Orazietti,
I am writing this open letter to you today following the lack of response from you to our request for continued dialogue and action on your part regarding the multitude of cuts to nursing, personal care, dietary and housekeeping at the FJ Davey Home.
As you know there is great concern among many in your community about the impact of the cuts on resident care. Nearly 400 residents at the nursing home are affected. If these care cuts are not rescinded frail, sick seniors will receive less direct nursing and personal care. Environmental (cleaning) services have also been reduced. This is a serious concern in long-term care where fragile residents are prone to infection.
At a meeting in late March with you, residents’ family members and direct care staff (those attending) were lead to believe that you had committed to take action to rescind the cuts at FJ Davey. But, to date, other than a media release issued by your office to underscore that your government has not cut funding to the FJ Davey Home, there has been cold silence from you.
Surely Mr. Orazietti the residents, families and front line staff at the FJ Davey Home deserve better from you.
We think that you should be extremely concerned that while your government has not cut funding, the nursing home is making cuts to resident care and staff.
You should be asking why these cuts are happening. While, it is understandable that you would defend government’s funding record for frail nursing home residents, it is worth noting that the miniscule .78 per cent provincial funding increase allocated to FJ Davey for 2013-2014, barely covers inflationary costs for necessities like for utilities and food for residents.
Residents’ families and front line staff want their local MPP to work with them to focus on the issues that matter most; getting the cuts to resident care levels rescinded and ensuring that there is adequate provincial funding allocated to enhance care levels at the home.
We again encourage you to take action. Silence and inaction is not in the best interest of vulnerable FJ Davey Home residents.
Sincerely,
Candace Rennick CUPE Ontario, Secretary-Treasurer
