Editor:
Without any consultation whatsoever with the local community, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has announced the closure of the Coast’s only two long-term care facilities and the privatization of care through Trellis Senior Services, a private, for-profit entity.
Past experience shows clearly that in order to make a profit, care for seniors suffers, and the working conditions, wages and benefits of the care workers cannot be maintained.
The Sunshine Coast Council of Senior Citizens (COSCO-BC) has requested that the decision be immediately put on hold and that there be an in-depth study of other options. In particular, we request:
1. VCH considers the option to renovate and expand the existing facilities.
2. VCH provides a cost-benefit analysis of all options on the table. This cost benefit analysis should include: a financial analysis of the options being considered; an analysis of the quality of care of the clients under each option; an outline of benefits to the community; and a study of the effect on employees of each of the options.
3. VCH carries out extensive consultation with all major stakeholders.
As the COSCO-BC motto says: “Work and plan with seniors, not for them.”
Ray Haynes, Halfmoon Bay, vice-chair, Sunshine Coast COSCO
