Neglect problems persist in three Argyle long-term care homes (CHSLDs) owned by Excelsoins, in Longueuil, Saint-Lambert and Pointe-Claire, according to reports consulted by The duty and testimonies collected. Quebec announced on Tuesday that it would take over their management for at least 180 days.
“Not giving us the tools we need to take care of the residents, to provide the care we need to provide, is mistreatment,” says Juliette, an employee of the CHSLD Argyle in Longueuil who is being given a fictitious first name because she requested anonymity.
The CHSLD where she works accommodates about thirty users. “At night, there is only one care attendant and one nurse. It’s normal that they can’t take care of all the residents, there’s too much work,” she reveals. According to Juliette, nearly half of the residents require the presence of two employees to administer care or take care of them. Some residents require three to four people, “because they are very difficult.” According to her, it is common for night employees “not to be able to take a break during their entire shift. It creates a lot of fatigue and stress.”
“The premises are not clean,” says a report from a ministerial visit on the quality of the living environment at the CHSLD Argyle in Longueuil carried out in July 2023. “Some staff members do not present a warm approach and do not demonstrate sufficient courtesy when they intervene with the resident,” shows the report on the CHSLD in Saint-Lambert, which covers the same period.
Employees are subjected to “an inhumane workload,” says Sylvie Nelson, director of the Quebec Union of Service Employees, affiliated with the Quebec Federation of Workers (SQEES-FTQ), which represents employees of the CHSLDs of Saint-Lambert and Pointe-Claire.
According to her, the problem lies in the lack of supervision for employees. “Without supervision, things can go either way,” says Mme Nelson. Juliette agrees and believes that the lack of supervision is responsible for the problems affecting her establishment.
Asked about these allegations, the owner of Excelsoins, Christian Archambault, refused to answer questions from the Duty.
A provisional administration
Since Tuesday, the Argyle CHSLDs in Longueuil and Saint-Lambert, in Montérégie, have been administered by the Integrated Health and Social Services Centres (CISSS) of Montérégie-Est and Montérégie-Centre. A decision announced by the Minister responsible for Seniors.
“The government will not compromise on the health, safety and well-being of users. The interim administration is a proven measure that allows us to resolve problematic situations,” said Minister Sonia Bélanger in a press release released Tuesday.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) says it is in communication with these CHSLDs for several months already, but “the administration in place has not been able to achieve and maintain various expected standards,” the press release states.
In a written statement provided to the DutyMme Bélanger said the situation at CHSLD Argyle “deeply concerns” her. “After numerous requests for corrective action, we are determined to rectify the situation and guarantee quality care and services to residents,” she said.
For several years
In July 2021, The duty had revealed recurring problems of negligence on the part of the administration during an investigation into the CHSLD Argyle in Saint-Lambert. 18 residents, caregivers and employees of the private residence testified to problems related to the care and hygiene of users, as well as the cleanliness of the establishment.
Following the investigation of the Dutyan independent investigator was mandated by the ministry to assess the situation. “Our investigation allows us to conclude that the services offered at the CHSLD Argyle – Résidence Les Écluses Saint-Lambert facilities deserve to continue,” reads the investigation report dated January 14, 2022. The document nevertheless specifies that “a lot of work remains to be done” to bring the center back to an adequate standard and insists on the participation of the local CISSS to achieve this. “We believe it is imperative that the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre maintain the monitoring and close support that it has put in place in recent months,” reads the report.
With The Canadian Press