For Immediate Release
January 13, 2017
Toronto, ON
CARP members are following the ongoing investigation into the alleged first degree murders of eight long term care residents in southwestern Ontario, and were disturbed to learn of the additional charges announced this morning, including four counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
“While the families of the alleged victims are dealing with these horrible charges, the investigations into the state of long term care industry is ringing alarm bells for families across Ontario,” said Wanda Morris, CARP VP of Advocacy and COO.
Media investigations and incident reports from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care indicate a number of issues with the supervision of staff and the administration and securing of drugs at the residences where these alleged crimes were committed.
The Ontario Auditor General reported in 2015 that the Ministry does not do enough to address repeated non-compliance in certain homes and that Ontario law sets no minimum ratio for front-line staff to residents; CARP continues to be concerned about the off-label use of antipsychotic drugs as chemical restraints for dementia patients.
“The safety and dignity of all long term care residents must be a top priority for all Health Ministries across Canada. While the situation in Woodstock is uniquely horrifying, there are too many other care facilities where lesser transgressions have occurred” said Wanda Morris.
For more information and media interviews:
Additional Links:
CARP on the State of Long-Term Care Homes
Video: Wanda Morris responds to Long-Term Care Alleged Crimes
CARP on ZoomerNews re: Woodstock Nursing Home case
