A response to my emails

Finally on December 10th I received a response from the Minister of Health. Although I'm not sure what it says...more to follow on the findings under the investigations re the Protection for persons in care act...not very helpful and certainly not what I expected.



Dear Ms. O’Connell:

Thank you for your e-mails to the Honourable Darrell Dexter and me,
dated October 30, 2009, regarding the qualifications of staff working
with patients at the Aberdeen Hospital in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.
The Premier has asked that I respond on his behalf.

Please be assured we take all complaints of abuse seriously. In October
2007, the Protection for Persons in Care Act was proclaimed, which is an
extra safeguard for patients or residents 16 years of age or older
receiving care from Nova Scotia’s hospitals, residential care
facilities, nursing homes, homes for the aged or disabled persons under
the Homes for Special Care Act, or group homes or residential centres
under the Children and Family Services Act.

The Department of Health ordered an investigation regarding this
incident under the Protections of Persons in Care Act.

I am reviewing the recommendations from this investigation, and if
deemed necessary to protect patients/residents from abuse, further
directives may be issued to the facility. Such directives, when
warranted, could include staff participating in training and/or
education sessions.

Thank you for taking the time to bring your concerns forward.

Yours truly,



Maureen MacDonald
Minister

c: The Honourable Darrell Dexter, Premier

No time, no help

Yesterday, during a Christmas celebration, I heard a story that shook everyone there. One of the attendees shared a story about her mother's time in a nursing home...she had Alzheimer's Disease. The lady telling the story had been released from hospital after having a breast removed for Cancer and she was visiting her mother in the care facility. Her mother recognized her and as soon as she entered the room asked her daughter to help her to the bathroom. Because of the recent surgery her daughter couldn't help, but she went to the desk and asked for assistance...three times. Then she was told, "Tell her to use her diaper, that's what it is for".

This incident happened some time ago, and things MAY have changed...or not. I sincerely hope they have.

Meeting for Monday December 7, 2009

I just received an email advising me of a meeting with the Minister of Health set for Monday December 7, 2009. The ACE team arranged the meeting to discuss several health issues concerning care of the elderly in the Nova Scotia Health Care System.

Hopefully the meeting will be a productive one.