Seniors’ Advocate Susan Walsh believes there are several recommendations in her latest report that government can quickly take action on.
The report makes 11 recommendations to improve the governance structure that the province operates under, which will help with the implementation of recommendations from the long-term and personal care homes report released earlier this year.
Susan Walsh speaks with reporters, May 15, 2025 (VOCM News)
In the span of a couple of weeks, Walsh believes government can “absolutely” make the department of seniors responsible for the continuum of care for seniors, and have NL Health Services reporting to that department on the same.
The Seniors’ Advocate also believes that within the next six months, government can implement continuum of care legislation, stating that there is “no reason” why that can’t be done in the fall sitting.
Further, Walsh says the standards for long term care and personal care homes can be developed at the same time. That way, everything is ready to go for when the legislation is passed.
PC Leader Tony Wakeham questions Health Minister Krista Lynn Howell (NL HOA)
Meanwhile, in the House of Assembly on Thursday PC Leader Tony Wakeham asked Health Minister Krista Lynn Howell about the recommendation of continuum of care legislation.
Wakeham asked if government will commit to keeping the HoA open and introducing the legislation next week.
Minister Howell would not commit to any timelines, but did say work is underway on continuum of care legislation and draft operational standards for long-term and personal care homes.
