REGINA – The Saskatchewan government is out with a report card on its own work in health care, which Health Minister Dustin Duncan says shows progress is being made in a challenging system.
“We’re not alone in this in Saskatchewan, these are issues everybody is facing,” Duncan said.
The latest update on the 2009 Patient First Review touches on efforts to reduce overcrowding in hospitals and lengthy surgical waits (that are actually on the decline), while also addressing the ongoing and escalating pressures in seniors care, where it seems there’s never enough staff or time to go around.
Duncan says efforts in other areas of seniors care are taking pressure off nursing homes, such as house calls for seniors with complex needs – a program already unveiled in Saskatoon and coming soon to Regina.
“One thing (seniors) remind me of is, ‘Yes, let’s focus on issues of long-term care but let’s remember, not all seniors live in long-term care facilities,’ ” Duncan said.
Eventually, it all comes back to long-term care, where recent tragedies have become very public; one case of neglect even leading to a lengthy ombudsman report.
Get weekly health news
READ MORE: Records altered, care standards not met in death of Margaret Warholm
At the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism conference this week, there’s a focus on what can change.
“The exciting thing is there seems to be a willingness to speak up about (problems) and try to find ways to address them,” said Holly Schick, the group’s executive director.
“No matter how many staff you have, your approach is what matters.”
A culture shift is needed, according to the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s Mary Schulz.
“No matter how many staff you have, your approach is what matters,” Schulz said, suggesting care homes need to be more flexible in how they deliver care.
“Why would I want to get up at 7 a.m. just to sit in a chair for the rest of the day? It’s because it’s often easier for staff. So it’s time to look at it and ask, ‘Why are we doing that?’ ”
Schulz says this improves quality of life for residents and ultimately their health, which would save money in a system where costs are only going up.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.