St. John’s, NL (February 6, 2025) – Barry Petten, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Health and MHA for Conception Bay South, today added his voice to calls for the Furey Liberals to finally take action on the long-awaited report on long term care and personal care homes.

Petten was reacting to the report of the Expert Advisory Panel on Long Term Care and Personal Care Home which was finally released yesterday. Petten noted the review was called for back in 2019 and the Furey Liberals have held the report since December, only now releasing it.

“I agree with the Seniors Advocate. This report has been in the hands of Government since last year. They have had months to study the 23 recommendations and develop concrete action plans. Let’s see them!” said Petten.

Petten noted the media reports in the past few years of seniors being abused by having inappropriate photos taken in facilities and other seniors being forced to double bunk due to the Furey Liberals poor planning of long-term care in Western NL.

“Dignity in aging and quality of life goes to the very heart of what Government should be doing to support and care for our seniors. However, one need only look at seniors in hallways at the brand new Western Memorial Regional Hospital to see how this Government has failed our seniors. Last fall, the Furey Liberals were prepared to force seniors to share bedrooms till the Seniors Advocate spoke out and families rose up in protest. This Government has a very poor track record of inaction and indifference,” continued Petten.

Petten fears the report will join the many volumes of other reports Government has received but not actioned, including reports from the Seniors Advocate, such as What Golden years?

“Oversight, staffing, quality of life and infrastructure issues need action now, not more study and delays. After a decade of inaction, it is time for a new PC Government with the ideas and energy to make real change.

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