An apparent lack of government oversight in the operation of personal care homes, as outlined in the AG’s recent performance audit, came up for debate in the House of Assembly.

Denise Hanrahan found a number of serious incidents, most of which had no follow-up action documented by the department.

Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham raised the issue with acting Health Minister John Haggie during Question Period.

Haggie says NLHS provides oversight and in 2020 they established a protocol whereby personal care homes have one announced, and one unannounced inspection, each month. “That has continued through COVID, and you saw the success we had there compared with other jurisdictions in terms of the health and well-being of seniors in personal care homes.”