Editor:
Sent to President and CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health Mary Ackenhusen:
When VCH announced that Totem Lodge and Shorncliffe long-term care residences were to be replaced by Trellis Group Silverstone Care Centre, a for-profit private facility, I was dismayed. It came without public consultation and was dropped like a bombshell on our community.
Our community is proud of our hospital and care homes. Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary has supported all three of the facilities with hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of service. This support for long-term care will end if the new private facility is opened. Music therapy, garden maintenance, monthly birthday parties, hairdressing, and other seasonal celebrations are some of the volunteer activities that contribute to the quality of life of our residents.
Everybody agrees that more long-term care beds are needed on the Coast. Dozens of acute care beds are filled with people waiting for placement and many more are being cared for by aging spouses and ill-equipped families. There is widespread doubt that 20 more beds in a private for-profit facility located outside the downtown core is the answer. Public consultation would have helped the decision makers in their deliberations. Instead it was presented as a “done deal.”
For-profit businesses take a portion of public funding for their bottom line. Privatization requires cost-cutting measures leading to a reduction in staff wages. Invariably the result is frequent staff turnover, lower staff to patient ratios and staffing inconsistency. Costs associated with caring for the frail elderly will be reduced with a consequent reduction of nutritional service and social activities.
Please advocate on behalf of seniors and their families on the Sunshine Coast and reconsider your plan for a private for-profit long-term care facility. Consult with our community as to our wishes and needs.
Wendy Hunt, Sechelt
