Who cares for the caregivers? | Thank you for being ill...

Dear Mr. McGuinty,

It has come to my attention that you will be attending the grand opening of (edited for confidentiality). This opening commemorates the addition of another *** Long Term Care beds to the existing *** beds already located at this facility.

I am sure the day will be a memorable one, and that the executives and management of (edited for confidentiality) will provide quite a remarkable presentation of the facility. This is a beautiful new building, with large, accommodating spaces, rich furnishings and décor, and lush landscaping.

The care provided at this facility is exemplary, particularly due to the skilled and compassionate care provided by the 250 Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses and Personal Care Attendants. The residents are well cared for and very happy. (edited for confidentiality) has an extensive waiting list, reflective of its reputation as providing quality care and a comfortable living environment.

I urge you, Mr. McGuinty, to look closer while you are visiting this fine facility. Look at the front line staff that work at this facility – look at the conditions in which they work.

Last December, (edited for confidentiality) received the disappointing news that our Case Mix Index had fallen a substantial amount after the Ministry of Health Classifiers visited the facility. Since that time, conditions at the facility have become unbearable for many of the hardworking employees there. Our staffing has been decreased by approximately 70 caregiver hours per day in the 200 bed south building. At the same time as your government announced more money for long term care, and announced that long term care residents should receive 2 baths per week, our staffing was diminished to the point that residents are not even guaranteed 1 bath per week.

Sure, not all of the problems faced are the result of these cutbacks. Opening the north building meant greater problems staffing the facility. Positions that were cut back in hours are divided between 2 different staff members. Personal care staff, including the full time employees, are working 2 jobs in an effort to keep their families fed and clothed. There are simply no staff to call in to work when needed, because they are working elsewhere. There is a nursing shortage in this province, and this facility cannot find staff willing to work here, or in long term care. When nurses or personal care staff call in sick, there is often no replacement. 1 nurse is coerced into caring for twice as many (50) residents, performing the duties of 2 employees. This leaves the resident with substandard care. 1 personal care attendant must feed up to 5 or 6 residents at meal times, and each PCA on the day and evening shift must provide complete physical care to 12 or 13 residents. 5 years ago, these numbers may not have been considered high. Today, with the advanced medical problems our residents have, and the higher level of care they require, this number is extremely high. A rough estimate of my unit indicates that residents are not even receiving 2.5 hours of nursing care per day.

The employees of (edited for confidentiality) are dedicated professionals. In their 8-hour shift, most staff do not take a break, because there just isn’t enough time. We realize that there are facilities in which the workload is heavier, the staffing is worse, and the employees are even more frustrated than we are. This is little comfort to us when we are struggling to work our shifts.

Combined with this frustration with staffing is the fear for our personal safety while at work. Lower staffing levels mean unsafe situations for staff. My coworkers and I are subject to violence, aggression, injury and repetitive strain on a daily basis. Many of my colleagues have lost time due to work related illnesses. Many never fully recover.

I urge you to heed the advice of our union leaders and health care advocates – reinstate the minimum staffing requirement of 3.5 nursing hours per resident, provide more funding to long term care – and hold the employer responsible for ensuring the funding reaches the bedside where it is needed the most.

I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit to (edited for confidentiality). But don’t expect to see many of the employees whom this letter concerns. They are too busy at work to take their break.

Update: Following the 2004 CMI review, this facility has gotten increased funding and staffing issues have improved. The other struggles though, are rampant through ALL Long Term Care Facilties in Ontario.