May 13, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Minister comments on remarks regarding Hoyles Escasoni

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, today called on Loyola Sullivan to publicly apologize to the residents, staff and board members of the Hoyles Escasoni long term care facility and to retract insulting remarks he recently made in the media about poor quality care in Hoyles Escasoni as compared with privately run facilities.

The minister said Sullivan crossed the line when he suggested that the work of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse at a publicly funded facility doesn't compare to that of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse at a private facility. "Mr. Sullivan insulted the integrity of the health professionals and board members at Hoyles Escasoni when he publicly criticized the quality of care being provided to 400 residents by 700 staff, compared to that being provided at privately run facilities in the city," said the minister. "He publicly insulted the residents, staff, management and board members - now he should publicly apologize."

The minister said she learned Sullivan tried to apologize privately to select people at the facility but that staff, residents and family members were incensed at his remarks and his apology was not accepted. She said he should apologize publicly to all 700 of the staff, management and board members who care for the 400 residents who call Hoyles Escasoni their home.

The minister said Sullivan showed no regard, for the work of the people who take care of our older citizens and an obvious lack of understanding about the long term health care system. She had been told that residents and their family members were also feeling hurt by Sullivan's remarks. "It's one thing for the Opposition critic to challenge government everyday but to insult the staff and board members at Hoyles Escasoni has to be disheartening to a group of people who I am sure are doing their best to care for our senior citizens," said the minister.

The minister noted that Hoyles Escasoni received an accreditation from the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation for the years 1997 through 2000 and that Sullivan's remarks were not only incorrect but would only serve to instill undue fear in residents and have them question the professionalism of their care givers. She called on Sullivan to publicly retract his statement and apologize.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, (709) 729-1377.

1999 05 13 4:10 p.m.