Dear Editor,
To say there are many serious issues on the minds of Nova Scotians is an understatement. Health care is often at or near the top of the list of what worries individuals and families. We all want to be confident that we have access to a primary care provider and that when we require acute or tertiary care our hospitals are staffed and prepared to deliver the appropriate level of care needed. We tend perhaps not to consider the important role long term care plays in our communities until a loved one moves from home into long term care. I spent my career in health care yet it wasn’t until a family member, my mother, became a resident at the Inverary Manor that I came to witness the very important role long term care plays in the life cycle of our community. While not all residents are elderly, they all require care and assistance that can no longer be provided at home. It’s a big move for the individual and for their family who entrust the care of their loved one to the staff. Staff are responsible for the care and comfort of the residents. CUPE long term care locals have been without a contract for two years. Nova Scotia is said to have the lowest paid long term care workers among the Atlantic provinces.
Long term care homes strive to attract, educate and retain staff who deliver care to every resident so that each resident feels safe, comfortable and cared for. Long term care staff should know they are valued for the important work they do. I urge the provincial government to recognize that important work and offer a fair deal to long term care workers.
Chris MacLeod
Dunvegan