After reports of abuse at the CHSLD de la Prairie-Bélanger, Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dubé has ordered a new investigation into the long-term care facility.
The CHSLD de la Prairie-Bélanger, located in Montreal’s east end, has been under scrutiny since a video surfaced last week showing a resident being mistreated by a staff member. The video, which was shared on social media, sparked outrage and calls for action.
In response, Dubé announced on Tuesday that a new investigation will be conducted by the regional health authority, the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. This comes after an initial investigation by the CIUSSS found no evidence of abuse.
Dubé stated that the new investigation will be thorough and will include interviews with staff, residents, and their families. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents in long-term care facilities.
The CHSLD de la Prairie-Bélanger has faced criticism in the past for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the facility reported 31 deaths due to the virus, the highest number in the province at the time.
The Quebec government has since implemented stricter regulations for long-term care facilities, including mandatory training for staff on preventing abuse and neglect.
In light of the recent incident, Dubé has also announced that the government will be conducting surprise inspections at all CHSLDs in the province to ensure compliance with these regulations.
The investigation into the CHSLD de la Prairie-Bélanger is ongoing and the results are expected to be released in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the staff member involved in the incident has been suspended and the resident has been transferred to another facility.
The Quebec government has made it clear that they will not tolerate any form of abuse or neglect in long-term care facilities and will take swift action to address any issues that arise.
