February 8, 2021
Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB—The Manitoba NDP stood in solidarity with family members of Maples PCH residents, who have been denied the ability to care for their loved ones outside of designated hours and on weekend. NDP Leader Wab Kinew and Maples MLA Mintu Sandhu called for the PC government to take over the facility so family caregivers are able to come in to provide care when they need to.
“The treatment of residents at Maples PCH was shameful and horrifying, and is a direct result of Revera putting the bottom line ahead of senior’s lives,” said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “It’s completely understandable family members have lost trust in the facility to make sure there are enough staff to provide an adequate level of care. Revera must be held accountable – and the only way to do that is to hold a public inquiry.”
The Manitoba NDP are sharing emails from Maples Revera administration sent to residents’ family members laying out strict rules for visitation by ‘Designated Caregivers’. Family members wishing to provide care for residents can only enter the building during weekdays within designated times. They are not allowed to visit their family members or provide essential care on weekends.
General visitation at Maples has been suspended for several months after eight residents died within a 48-hour period from COVID-19 complications and dozens more died over the course of months. A report and internal Ministerial briefing notes showed the facility was understaffed and requests from the facility for more staff were ignored by the PC government. As a result, residents’ care was severely compromised, with dozens suffering dehydration and malnutrition.
The care home’s private operator, Revera Inc, initially misled the public about staffing levels within the facility on the night eight residents died. The facility’s license is currently under review.
“Revera should be doing everything to make up for their actions right now. That starts with being as accommodating to family members as possible,” said NDP MLA for the Maples Mintu Sandhu. “No designated caregiver should be denied the ability to visit their family member and provide the essential care they need.”