Press Release |
Dear Frank, On behalf of the Residents, Families and Staff of Eagle Terrace, we wish to thank-you for taking up our cause by increasing the awareness of the challenges that Long Term Care Residents, Families and Staff are facing in the present and future. There has been great excitement here at Eagle Terrace in response to your presentation in the Ontario Legislature and your encouraging stance of making Long Term Care a priority in Ontario. Pat |
Klees calls on McGuinty Government to Make Long Term Care a Priority
March 28, 2011 (Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees brought the concerns of residents and staff at Eagle Terrace Long Term Care Centre in Newmarket to the floor of the Legislature this past week.
“Long Term Care is on the brink of a crisis in this province,” said Klees. “And although the McGuinty government claims all is well, the residents who live in the long term care homes, their families and the staff who care for them know better.”
Klees received hundreds of post-cards in his constituency office that were signed by residents and staff complaining that government underfunding is threatening their level of care.
Klees read the text of those post cards into the public record to ensure that the Premier and the Minister of Health and Long Term Care became aware of this issue.
“I want to ensure that my constituents are heard,” said Klees. “This is an issue that should be a priority for the government.”
Statement in the legislature March 24, 2011 see below
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For Media Inquires Contact:
Darryl Wolk
Executive Assistant to Frank Klees, MPP
416 325 7316
darryl.wolk@pc.ola.org
LONG-TERM CARE
Mr. Frank Klees: Long-term care is on the brink of a crisis in this province, and although the McGuinty government claims all is well, the residents who live in the long-term-care homes, their families and the staff who care for them know better. They’re making their concerns known through thousands of postcards that are being delivered to MPPs.
For the benefit of the Premier and the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, here is what those postcards say:
“Dear MPP:
“I’ve sent you this card to let you know I support the teams that care for the 100,000 residents served each year in Ontario’s long-term-care homes. From nurses and personal support workers to housekeeping and laundry staff, to food service workers and maintenance people, each member of those teams ensures a caring and safe home. They deserve our support.
“These teams play an important role in the quality of life and well-being of some of Ontario’s frailest elderly. They are the dedicated people who provide care and service to residents all day, every day, yet these teams are threatened because government funding is not keeping pace with increasing resident care needs and regulatory demands.
“Please work to ensure there is appropriate funding to support these teams so they can continue to support Ontario’s long-term-care residents. Thank you.”
I’m calling on the government to listen to this appeal and make long-term care in this province a priority.