Recommendations in the Northwood Review do not offer immediate solutions to addresses recruitment and retention problems in the long-term care sector, says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen. “There is no time to develop a ‘vision for the future’. Government must act now.” “We overwhelmingly need more care staff and more housekeeping, laundry, recreation and dietary staff. They are all critical pieces of work in maintaining a healthy and safe long-term care home that are undervalued by the Liberal government,” states McFadgen. “We need more than a couple vague comments from the minister about possibilities and timelines. We need a commitment to increase the hours allotted to do the work and to hire more staff now.” “A much-deserved wage increase for long-term care staff is missing from the recommendations, which would make it possible for many who work in the sector to afford to stop juggling multiple jobs, so they can work at just one facility,” says McFadgen. “The Province’s failed pilot project of hiring unqualified “assistant care aides” has also not been helpful. The positions are often filled by individuals who do not have any formal training. This ‘band-aid’ solution will not make up for the need to hire more continuing … Read more…