Press Release
(For immediate release)
April 9, 2002 (Released on April 10, 2002; 08:00 a.m.)
The current labour dispute between the Ontario Government and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is having a devastating effect on the quality of care and life of patients in the four remaining provincial psychiatric hospitals located in Whitby, Penetanguishene, Thunder Bay and North Bay. These patients are among the most vulnerable of populations.
Vahe Kehyayan, Director, of the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office (PPAO) says "I am very concerned about the impact this labour dispute is having on the patients. Patient care has deteriorated and the treatment and services on which patients depend on have become compromised". He goes on to say that speedy resolution of the labour dispute is required before patients' quality of care and life deteriorates any further.
The PPAO is an arms-length program within the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The Office is independent in its advocacy mandate and, in that context, its views do not necessarily represent those of the Ministry. Since 1983 the PPAO has been advocating for and promoting the rights of the very vulnerable patients in the provincial psychiatric hospitals.
The PPAO's Patient Advocates who are situated on site at each hospital have been closely monitoring the conditions under which the patients have been living since the beginning of the labour dispute. They are reporting that in general:
- Most patients do not have access to therapies, either individual or group, recreational services, or therapeutic programs;
- Most patients do not have access to community visits or outings particularly if they require supervision;
- Mail delivery has been slow and thus patient communication with supports in the community has been impeded;
- Recreational facilities, such as the canteens are closed such that patients do not have access to the only communal socialization areas in these facilities;
- Patients' access to religious services are impeded; and
- Patients do not have access to social, recreational and therapeutic programs.
As a rights protection program, the PPAO is concerned that patients' quality of care and life in these four remaining provincial psychiatric hospitals has become compromised. Vahe Kehyayan "urges an expeditious resolution of this labour dispute so that patients can begin to receive the care and treatment they need".
Contact:
Vahe Kehyayan, Director, Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office, (416)327-7007
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