Medical students stress seniors’ care

A dozen Saskatchewan medical students were at the Legislative Building on Tuesday to lobby for changes to seniors’ health care.

The Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan (SMSS) represents some 400 medical students in Saskatoon and Regina.

In coming years, they will be the ones providing care for seniors, so they wanted to make their thoughts known.

“We want that care to be the best it can be, so we want to encourage policy-makers to see the big picture,” said chair Jessica Harris.

The group met with ministers, the Human Services Caucus Policy Committee and the opposition caucus, with Harris saying both sides of the political divide seemed receptive to the three-pronged approach SMSS put forward.

“WE WANT THAT CARE TO BE THE BEST IT CAN BE.”

JESSICA HARRIS

Harris acknowledged the issue of seniors’ care has been discussed extensively in the house over the last few months, but said her group “brings a unique perspective” to the table.

“Even if the policies we brought forward aren’t adopted, we care about seniors’ care, and we want to start a conversation.”

Greg Ottenbreit, Rural and Remote Health Minister, said the gover nment continues to focus on improving home care, and does not believe cases of seniors neglect in care homes across Saskatchewan are part of a systemic issue. The ombudsman launched an investigation in November following the death and alleged mistreatment of a senior at a Regina care home. Mary McFadyen said in January that her office had received about 35 complaints related to care in long-term care facilities since her investigation started. NDP Leader Cam Broten has repeatedly criticized the government’s stance on seniors care and is calling for minimum care standards in the province.