Health and seniors care in Lloydminster desperate for improvement, says NDP
The NDP is calling on the government to fix and keep open the Dr. Cooke Extended Health Centre in Lloydminster.
The government is planning to tear down a wing of the Dr. Cooke seniors care home, taking away 55 beds. This, despite the fact that the city is facing a shortage of seniors care options and spaces, causing ripple effects throughout the system including at the Lloydminster Hospital.
“Seniors are stuck in acute care beds at the hospital, waiting for an appropriate place to live to open up. They’re being stuck in the dementia unit when their mind and memory is clear because the right space isn’t available. Can you imagine your grandma living that way and being treated that way?” asked Danielle Chartier, NDP Health critic. Chartier also pointed out that Lloydminster has far too few supports to keep seniors in their own homes longer.
“This government is putting the time and money into consultants, its Lean pet project and too many senior managers rather than investing in the facilities, workers and front-line care Saskatchewan families need and deserve,” she said.
Repairing the entire Dr. Cooke seniors care home would cost $9.9 million, according an audit by Vanderweil Facility Assessors Canada. The facilities audit revealed that this government has allowed health facilities to become run down throughout the province, more than doubling the infrastructure deficit – the cost of necessary repairs – to $2.2 billion in just seven years.
The NDP MLAs have been holding a fall planning session in Lloydminster, which will wrap up Friday.