BR NS Nursing Home Deaths – CP

Source: The Canadian Press – Broadcast wire
May 3, 2016

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s minister of health says he’s considering publicly releasing nursing home deaths caused by violence between residents.

Leo Glavine made the comments yesterday after records obtained by The Canadian Press showed five of eight such fatalities hadn’t been reported since 2008.

He says the protocol for reporting the deaths will be outlined in a continuing-care strategy the Liberal government will release later this year.

The minister says he’ll — quote — “give every consideration” to changing the existing policy.

Currently, it’s up to police to decide whether to disclose such information about such deaths, which are usually caused by shoves or altercations by people with dementia.

Both opposition parties have called for public notification after medical examiner records released through freedom of information revealing the previously unknown cases.

Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie says he frequently visits nursing homes around the province.

He says he’s become concerned there are underlying problems such as crowding and a shortage of staff available to work with residents who may have symptoms of aggression due to dementia.

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(The Canadian Press)

INDEX: HEALTH NATIONAL POLITICS