(Quebec) The increase in the number of complaints and reports of mistreatment is not a sign of a deterioration in care and services for the elderly, believes Premier François Legault.
This increase of 50% in one year and 200% since 2018-2019, as revealed by The Presstestifies rather, according to him, to the effects of An Act to combat mistreatment of seniors and any other person of full age in a situation of vulnerability. Adopted in 2017, it was enhanced in 2020 and then in 2022.
It is now “easier to file a complaint”, he explained during a press briefing on Wednesday on the sidelines of the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers. That complaints and reports are on the rise, “I don’t think that implies a deterioration in care.”
La ministre déléguée à la Santé et aux Aînés, Sonia Bélanger, ne fait elle non plus « aucun lien (entre) les services et les situations de maltraitance » en hausse. Cette augmentation n’est « pas du tout » un signe que la qualité des services se dégrade. Elle a ajouté que la maltraitance a plusieurs visages. Les auteurs de maltraitance ne sont pas toujours des employés, il peut s’agir de proches, a-t-elle mentionné.
« Je m’attendais à ce qu’il y ait une augmentation des dénonciations, c’est ce qu’on veut avec la loi », a-t-elle ajouté.
« Ce n’est pas une bonne nouvelle d’avoir une augmentation du nombre de plaintes de 50 %, mais ça me sécurise comme ministre parce que je me dis que maintenant on dénonce rapidement et qu’on agit rapidement. […] For me, it’s a sign of transparency, it’s a sign of lucidity, it’s a sign that abuse means zero tolerance. »
She appealed to the population to denounce any act of abuse they witness. She recalled that employees of the health network have an obligation under the law. Victims of abuse should not hesitate to file complaints, she added.
During a statutory meeting with the CEOs of the CISSSs and CIUSSSs, the Minister reminded them of their “obligation” to properly train their staff on the provisions of the law and to support their local commissioners for complaints and the quality of services. She also intends to “increase the means” available to the commissioners, who are responsible for processing complaints and reports of mistreatment in particular. “It is normal that with an increase in complaints the commissioners are more overloaded. We will work to ensure that the resources are there, ”she said.
Québec solidaire and the Liberal Party of Québec find it unacceptable that the fines provided for in a law adopted nine months ago are still not applied for situations of mistreatment. Minister Bélanger’s office replies that work is continuing with a view to imposing sanctions.
The law provides for fines for perpetrators of mistreatment: from $5,000 to $125,000 in the case of a natural person, from $10,000 to $250,000 for an establishment or a legal person. For staff members who fail to report abuse they witness or suspect, fines range from $2,500 to $25,000.
They said
I’m not surprised at the increase. It’s been mentioned for a long time that these forms of ageism and abuse occur, but at some point, not enough cases are reported. I am alarmed and very worried all the same by this staggering increase.
Pierre Lynch, spokesperson for the Coalition for the Dignity of Seniors
There is a collective awareness, and COVID has exacerbated that. (During the crisis), we realized that elderly people had poor quality care in certain resources. People have understood with COVID that enough is enough and that we need good treatment.
Sylvie Tremblay, Executive Director of the Provincial Regrouping of User Committees