Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says her government is open to an independent review of the province’s long-term care facilities after a nurse was charged with eight counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of nursing home residents in southwestern Ontario.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath told the legislature Wednesday morning that “something obviously failed” in the oversight of nursing homes and asked what the government has done in the last 24 hours to ensure Ontario seniors in long-term care facilities are safe.
“At some point if there is a need for an independent review or an inquiry, we will absolutely undertake that,” Wynne said during question period.
“Not because of political pressure from the NDP. But because we all need to have the answers. But in the interim, there are processes that the police are leading and they need to be allowed to do their work.”
READ MORE: What we know about the Woodstock nurse charged with killing 8 nursing home residents
Health Minister Eric Hoskins said Ontario already has a robust system of inspections and oversight in place.
Elizabeth Tracey Mae Wettlaufer, a 49-year-old registered nurse from Woodstock, was identified by police on Tuesday as the suspect linked to the deaths of eight seniors under her care.
Ontario Provincial Police said a drug was administered to the victims, whose ages ranged from 75 to 96, at two nursing homes in Woodstock and London, Ont. between 2007 and 2014.
READ MORE: Woodstock nurse charged with murder of 8 elderly patients renews focus on violence against seniors
According to the province’s Long-Term Care Home Quality Inspection Program (LQIP), all homes are inspected at least one a year and investigations are undertaken as a result of complaints, concerns or critical incidents.
The provincial government said the program protects over 76,000 residents in Ontario’s 629 long term care homes.
WATCH: The deaths of 7 elderly residents of the Caressant Care Long Term Care Home in Woodstock is just the latest tragedy for the small Ontario community. Mike Drolet has more.
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