KITCHENER – NDP MPP Laura Mae Lindo (Kitchener Centre) has issued a statement after the Ford government issued a mandatory management order for St. Mary's General Hospital to take over the management of the Forest Heights long-term care home in Kitchener operated by private firm Revera Inc., where 50 residents have died from COVID-19:
“Since the COVID-19 outbreak began at Forest Heights on April 1, I’ve been working closely with families and frontline staff every day to demand urgent action from the Ford government to take over the running of this long-term care home where the management has failed to protect their residents.
Their loved ones have been sick with worry and anxiety for months now, and the stories I’ve heard about the inadequate care at this privately-owned facility have been harrowing. The lack of transparency and communication to families has only added to their pain. The frontline staff have been stretched to breaking point as they do their best without the support and the PPE they need to protect themselves and their residents.
While I am relieved to see the government is finally intervening this has taken far too long and too many residents, and their families, have suffered while this home has been neglected. The NDP Official Opposition will continue to speak out on behalf of families and staff to ensure Forest Heights takes the necessary measures to stop the spread of the virus and prevent more avoidable deaths at this home.”