BC specifies ‘rights’ in residential care
Bill of rights for residents promotes better care.
by Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
The Residents’ Bill of Rights was introduced today to ensure that residents in British Columbia care facilities know their rights, which will be publicly displayed inside all residential care facilities throughout the province, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport.
“The Residents’ Bill of Rights supports government’s throne speech commitment to provide residents in care facilities with a set of rights that promote health, safety and dignity in an environment to support high-quality care,” said Chong. “The legislation builds on B.C.’s commitment to care that will protect adults of all ages by providing a public display of residents’ rights, improving transparency and accountability in care facilities.”
The Residents’ Bill, to be posted visibly in all residential care facilities, also supports social, cultural, religious, spiritual and other rights of residents. The rights state that residents will be free from abuse and neglect, while they also promote respect of the personal privacy of residents, including their personal records, bedroom, belongings and storage spaces.
Government created the Residents’ Bill of Rights to clarify the rights of adults when they move into residential care, as the facility becomes their home. The Residents’ Bill of Rights will help ensure facility licence-holders, the persons in care, and family members are all made aware of the standard set of rights.
“We are very pleased to see increased safeguards for adults living in residential care,” said Barb MacLean, executive director with the Family Caregivers’ Network Society. “The new Residents’ Bill of Rights will have a positive impact on residents and their families by clarifying a resident’s rights and increasing their sense of security. The bill serves to standardize the many positive practices already in place in residential care, and its visibility will be a reminder of the importance of each person’s right to live with dignity, respect and safety.”
The Bill of Rights will be added as a schedule to the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. It will apply to adults who live in residential care facilities licensed under that act. This includes long-term care, mental health and substance use, community living, hospice and acquired brain injury facilities.
The Residents’ Bill of Rights will also apply to private and extended care hospitals, which are regulated under the Hospital Act. The schedule will not apply to Assisted Living facilities.
The Residents’ Bill of Rights improves transparency and accountability in care facilities, including the resident’s right to have access to copies of all laws, rules and/or policies affecting a service provided to the resident, as well as routine inspection reports of the facility. The bill will also keep residents informed in advance of all charges, fees, and payments that they must pay for accommodation and services received through the facility.
Residents’ concerns regarding any of their rights will be considered care quality complaints under the Patient Care Quality Review Board Act. These concerns may be tracked, monitored and reported by the health authorities as part of the broader patient complaints process.
Victoria
October 22, 2009
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
2009HLS0029-000517
Backgrounder on next page…
Excellent!!! Our patients need these rights and need them recognised and available. I feel it can also be a very workable system for all involved if these rights are respected. We should all be aware and supportive of this Bill of Rights as we might all be affected by it by one of our neighbours, friends, family members or ourselves using these facilities.