A petition circulating online demanding the Quebec government strengthen its residential and long-term care facilities, or CHSLDs, sits at 384 signatures as of Monday morning.
The Provincial Council of Women of Quebec (PCWQ) and the Quebec Council of University Women’s Clubs (QCUWC), two women’s advocacy groups, created a joint committee and presented the petition together early last week.
“We felt that this is an important issue since Quebec had the highest number of deaths in long-term care facilities in Canada and most of those were women, so that’s why we wanted to get involved with that,” said QCUWC President Judy Hopps.
There are seven points in the petition, she explained, all aimed at improving the standards of a long-ignored part of the health sector. Among other things, the committee asks for a better ratio between health care workers and seniors.
They also call for “unplanned inspections” of CHSLDs at least once a year, stronger isolation measures for residents infected with a virus, improved ventilation and air conditioning, and establishing a reserve of protection equipment.
Women’s advocacy groups call for higher standards in long-term care facilities
By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
