MLA Ron Cantelon opposed to srs. rep.

By Neil Horner
May 6^th, 2008

Nanaimo-Parksville MLA Ron Cantelon took the lead in opposing a proposal to create a special representative for seniors in the province.

Cantelon rose to speak to the issue in the B.C. legislature Monday, in response to Opposition leader Carole James, who supported the proposal.

In her remarks, James said the motion was important because she said seniors need someone speaking on their behalf and hold both government and health authorities accountable for what's going on in care facilities.

However, Cantelon responded, noting the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) has shown no hesitancy in stepping in when a concern is raised about potentially unacceptable levels of care.

"It was made very clear to me ... they would not be hesitant to pull a licence, step in and take over management of the facility themselves,"Cantelon said. "I think that kind of direct response to patient care can't be beat."

The idea of positioning some form of centralized ombudsman, he said, would likely prove less responsive to seniors' concerns than what is already in place, noting seniors can contact the facility's management, VIHA, their MLA, the Ombudsman or the licensing bureau.

"Call VIHA up,"he said. "Complain. VIHA has an effective way to respond to that ... I think there are several levels of opportunity which operate in a complementary way. I think it would be adding an unnecessary entanglement of bureaucracy to add another level of supervision."




Original Source:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_central/parksville_qualicumbeachnews/news/18668284.html