Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In 2005 then Auditor General Fred Dunn found unsafe and degrading conditions in the province’s long-term care facilities.

Some centres used restraints without authorization. Half of the facilities visited did not ensure annual medical exams, and the majority were not following medication rules. To the minister of health: why has the minister not achieved consistent inspection and enforcement of basic service standards in the province’s long-term facilities?

The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Health and Wellness.

Mr. Horne: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, in fact, the province has made great progress since the Auditor General’s report in 2005. While we have worked to ensure the appropriate application of standards, we’re currently doing some of what I think is very promising work to harmonize the inspection process, that often creates a burden on both patients and families, residents and families, and staff who operate these facilities.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, what proportion of institutions now have achieved the standards of inspection and enforcement?

Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, the inspections are carried out on a periodic basis, as the hon. member well knows. To my knowledge, all facilities in Alberta at this time are meeting the standards that are required, both for continuing care accommodation standards and continuing care health standards. Where there are deviations or where, more often, there are recommendations for improve-ment, I have every confidence those are being acted upon promptly and appropriately.

Dr. Swann: Well, Mr. Speaker, that’s not consistent with the most recent Auditor General’s report. Given the string of broken promises, what confidence can Alberta seniors have that they will be cared for appropriately?

Mr. Horne: Well, I don’t know specifically which recommendation the hon. member is referring to. What I can tell you is that the last Auditor General’s report expressed satisfactory progress in most cases on the recommendations upon which we had been asked to follow up. We are not satisfied, obviously, with only a satisfactory rating. There is room for improvement. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we’re attempting to create a culture of continuous quality improvement.

Alberta Hansard, November 28, 2011

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