Haggie calls for action plan 'within the next month or so' after troubling AG report on personal care homes

Interim Health Minister John Haggie says "there is no acceptable number" of serious incidents in Newfoundland and Labrador's personal care homes, responding on Friday to a report published by Auditor General Denise Hanrahan, which highlighted alleged accounts of sexual abuse, missing residents and improperly administered medicine.

Haggie says the health department will work closely with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) to develop an action plan, and wants it in place "within the next month or so."

On Friday, NLHS CEO Dr. Pat Parfrey told CBC News the organization is working to improve its monitoring of the system and intervening when needed.

Haggie said the health department is continually rolling out new standards.

"I would hate people to think that nothing was being done, it's simply that we were very bad at communicating," he said.

As for some of the allegations in Hanrahan's report — particularly those of sexual abuse — Haggie says that's out of his hands and that it's the responsibility of the care homes to report incidents to police where applicable.

"I know there has been law enforcement involvement in the past," Haggie said. "Once they're involved, it passes out of the jurisdiction of my department and is a law enforcement issue."

Haggie said he will not comment on ongoing investigations. 

The report also found that 91 residents who were sent to emergency departments were not accepted back by the personal care home, and that the practice was known and not addressed by the health department or NLHS.

Haggie called that point a "nuanced issue."

"That implies they're literally sort of just dumped in the parking lot, and I don't think it's an accurate representation," he told reporters.

Haggie says he has received positive feedback from some residents of personal care homes.

"Their experience is not the same as is highlighted in this report," he said, adding he does not want to minimize the highlighted issues.

CBC News asked Haggie if he'd be comfortable sending a loved one to a personal care home tomorrow.

"No trouble," he said.

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