EDMONTON — The Alberta government is facing calls to stop admitting complex mental health patients into long-term care facilities until the risks are fully reviewed. Seniors' advocates joined Opposition New Democrats at a news conference Monday in asking for the halt. They said mixing residents at Calgary's Carewest Colonel Belcher facility with those who have vastly different needs has led to violence.
Charles Hamel, board chair for the Friends of Colonel Belcher Society, said it can no longer recommend the once top-tier facility for veterans because of unsafe conditions. Hamel said former health minister Jason Copping recognized the risks and agreed placements should end, but Copping lost his seat in last year’s provincial election and that direction is no longer being followed. “We have been stonewalled," said Hamel.
NDP seniors critic Lori Sigurdson said putting adults with mental health issues into continuing-care was done to reduce strain on hospitals. She said the 175-bed Carewest Colonel Belcher currently has 58 patients, and some are high risk. “This temporary measure has created a stressful and unsafe environment for all residents, staff and visitors,” she said.
Although there is a security guard at Carewest Colonel Belcher, Sigurdson said it's not uncommon for police to be called and residents must sometimes shelter in their rooms until situations are resolved. The results of a freedom of information request shared by the NDP showed police were called to .
