Nursing Home workers ask for Real commitment
[Mar 28, 2007 07:52 AM]Increase in hours of care for seniors not enough
(2008-03-19) "The increase announced by the Government this week represents approximately 6 minutes more of care per resident. It is far from being sufficient."
Valerie Black
FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick Government is falling short of its commitment to increase the hours of care for nursing home residents.
"In this week's budget, the province increased the hours of care from 3 hours per resident to 3.1 hours. This increase is far from being adequate", said Valerie Black, President of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions.
"In its Charter for change, the Liberals promised to act quickly to increase hours of care because it understands that, for nursing home residents, this will mean timely feeding assistance, the chance to enjoy more than one bath a week and improved access to regular exercise. The Liberals promised to increase the hours of care to 3.5 hours a day within two years of its election", explained Black.
The Premier reiterated its promise when he announced the addition of 190 staff positions in nursing homes in the Fall of 2006.
"In order to respect its promise to the seniors of this province, the Government should have announced the increase in this budget", said Black. The increase announced by the Government this week represents approximately 6 minutes more of care per resident. It is far from being sufficient", concluded Black.
The New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions represents 3600 nursing home workers across the province.