Concerns raised about future of doctor coverage at 5 long-term care homes in P.E.I.
CBC
The provincial government faced questions Wednesday about access to physicians at several long-term care homes in Prince Edward Island.
Opposition Leader Hal Perry said it all started last Friday after staff at a community-owned long-term care home in Tignish received an email saying there would be no doctor coverage over the weekend, either in house or on call.
“Then a second email followed a few hours later, reversing course that doctor coverage would continue — only until November 30, and then it ends," Perry said during question period in the provincial legislature.
After some digging, Perry said he discovered five homes were impacted in West Prince and in Charlottetown.
Without physician coverage, he said, seniors will be forced to go to already overcrowded hospital emergency rooms.
"These long-term care homes are required to have either in-house or on-call physician coverage. Without it, they cannot operate," Perry said
"That means, unless the minister can find a solution, hundreds — and I mean hundreds — of seniors may not be able to stay in these homes."
Health Minister Mark McLane accused Perry of creating unnecessary fear. He acknowledged there are not enough doctors providing care, but said his department would continue to provide coverage for long-term care homes.
"There is no neglect. We have a plan until Nov. 30," McLane said. "I can assure the member we will provide care to our long-term care residents."
CBC News spoke with the president of the Tignish seniors home Wednesday. She said staff are concerned about what will happen with doctor coverage as of Dec. 1.
In an interview after question period, McLane confirmed physician coverage for "after Nov. 30," but he couldn't say how much longer that coverage has been extended.
McLane said the lack of doctor coverage for those long-term care homes is connected to the new Physician Services Agreement, which is not finalized yet.
“We will ensure that we have coverage at those homes, and we will not discharge patients or send them back to hospital,” he said.
“This is their home, this is where they belong, so we will support all our long-term care facilities.”
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