The province’s Seniors Advocate has written to the Department of Health and NL Health Services seeking an immediate meeting on the government’s decision to double up the occupancy of 15 long-term care rooms in Corner Brook.

The province announced the action in light of a shortage of long-term care beds in the area despite a brand new hospital facility recently opening up in Corner Brook.

Seniors Advocate Susan Walsh recently gathered information from the Department of Health on the policy framework to reduce the rate of Alternate Level of Care rates to determine the impact on seniors.

Now, she’s seeking an immediate meeting to discuss the latest developments. Until then, Susan Walsh says she’s not in a position to speak on the matter, but it’s not stopping the former Seniors’ Advocate from voicing her opinion.

Suzanne Brake, who worked for more than a decade in long-term care, told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that long-term care is going backwards, and the province is doing seniors a disservice.

“This is just wrong on so many levels,” says Brake.

“To me, this is nothing but a quick fix, and we’re literally focusing on the most vulnerable of people, those who are living in long-term care facilities.”