Broken homes

As advocates for nurses and patients alike, the NSNU feels compelled to expose the current state of long-term care in Nova Scotia by examining the key factors that contribute to both the quality of resident care and the quality of working conditions. [...] The recommendations in this report are consistent with best practices identified in the literature, and will go a long way towards improving LTC in Nova Scotia and making the province a leader in the country. [...] The Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union (NSNU) has heard a consistent message from its nurses working in the long-term care sector: resident acuity is increasing, the complexity of care and the number and types of interventions required is increasing, staffing plans have not evolved to meet these changes, resident care is suffering as a result, and managers are either unable or unwilling to effect meaningfu [...] Many of the flaws mentioned here can be eliminated or mitigated by ensuring that nurses are given the time and training to use the tool and ensuring that staffing levels and working conditions are responsive to the data. [...] The June, 2007 AG report (Ch4: Long-term Care – Nursing Homes and Homes for the Aged) noted that the Department of Health and Wellness already recognizes that many of the requirements of the Homes for Special Care Act do not reflect current standards.