Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union proposes legislation to improve care in nursing homes:The Care with Dignity (2018) Act, An Act to Amend the Homes for Special Care Act, 1989

On Thursday, June 21, 2018 the Nurses’ Union released draft legislation that primarily addresses the need for more hours of care in nursing homes across the province. If passed, the new standards would ensure long-term care facilities provide higher levels of licensed staffing.

For decades, we have been vocal about our concerns, but to no avail. Our goal now is for immediate action that will lead to an improvement in quality of care, the health of residents and peace of mind for loved ones.

Incidents involving residents with pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, as well as other issues in this health care sector, underscore the dire need for long-overdue amendments to the Homes for Special Care Act.

Given that the number of long-term care residents is set to increase dramatically in the coming 20-25 years, it’s imperative that all parties work towards solutions to these problems sooner, rather than later.

It is not about a lack of caring but rather a lack of resources, namely staffing. Employers care, nurses care, our elected officials care about our most vulnerable citizens, but that is not enough. We need a commitment to amend the Act, we need to hire more nurses and support who are trained to identify health issues, and we need to do it now.

Read the Care with Dignity Act (2018) in full

View the video of the June 21st news conference

Read supporting documents:

The Need for Higher Minimum Staffing Standards in U.S. Nursing Homes

Relationship of Nursing Home Staffing to Quality of Care

Download the Infographic