Candidates tackle health care at debate
C. diff and long-term care discussed
- The Standard (St. Catharines)
- ERICA BAJER
If there’s one thing most of the provincial election candidates in St. Catharines can agree on, it’s the need to learn from the Clostridium difficile outbreak to ensure it can never happen again.
Six of the riding’s candidates discussed health issues, including the deadly outbreak, and long-term care Tuesday during a debate organized by the Retired Teachers of Ontario District 14 and the Niagara Health Coalition.
More than 75 people turned out for the event, but there was little interaction between the audience and candidates, as questions from the floor had to be submitted in writing. There was also no confrontation among the candidates, who were strictly held to two-minute answer periods.
Moderator Marg Newby read a question from the audience asking candidates if they would demand accountability for the C. diff outbreak that has claimed 34 lives in the region, specifically in relation to hospital cleaning.
Liberal incumbent Jim Bradley said the outbreak is complex and issues including cleaning and the use of antibiotics need to be investigated to determine what can be done to prevent future occurrences.
“The cleaning of our hospitals and other institutions is an important component that I think needs to be improved upon,” he said.
Green party candidate Jennifer Mooradian said as long as money is the bottom-line in health care, problems similar to the outbreak will persist.
She said when a private company is contracted to do tasks like cleaning, its focus is making money.
“Quality health care should be put first, not money,” she said, garnering the first burst of applause of the night.
Instead of assigning blame, Progressive Conservative candidate Sandie Bellows said officials must learn from the outbreak and provide front-line staff with more resources and education. She repeatedly noted throughout the night that her party plans to do away with Local Health Integration Networks and re-direct $ 6 billion into other areas of health care.
Communist Party candidate Saleh Waziruddin said someone needs to be held accountable for the outbreak. He said the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions warned in May that cutbacks were making it impossible for hospitals to be properly cleaned and that staff simply weren’t being given the time needed to do the job.
“ People were predicting it (super-bug outbreak), but the politicians weren’t listening,” he said.
In response to questions about chronic and long-term care, candidates discussed the need to increase the number of beds and health-care options.
“ We are a senior citizens’ region,” said New Democratic Party candidate Irene Lowell, noting she would conduct a comprehensive review of home care and work towards making it better.
“I will fight to save our hospital here, I will fight for funding,” she said, noting hospitals are underfunded and experiencing 100% occupancy.
Bradley said with the aging population, long-term care beds and home-care strategies are a priority.
He said the Liberals recently announced a plan giving frail seniors access to doctors in their own homes and noted the government recognizes the importance of assisted-living facilities.
“ Long-term care beds are going to be essential in the future and we’re prepared to build them,” he said.
Canadians’ Choice Party candidate Jonathan Radick said he’s heard that people living in longterm care facilities have to sit in soiled diapers because there isn’t enough staff.
He said there needs to be a mandatory ratio of nursing staff to patients in long-term care facilities to ensure people are properly cared for.
St. Catharines residents Rowan Shirkie and Bob Hillier attended the debate to try and get a handle on where the candidates stand on health-care issues.
“ They are enormously complex and intimidating,” Shirkie said. “I don’t expect to hear any definite answers, but I’m listening for overall direction.”
Hillier was disappointed he didn’t hear more debate among the candidates, noting the way it was set up didn’t offer any opportunity for exchange between the politicians.
He said he attended Tuesday’s forum because it was open to all local candidates and he wanted to hear from asmany as possible.
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