Cameras in NURSING homes: The unions say

Photo Simon Clark
Louise Chabot (CSQ), Claire Montour (FSQ CSQ) and Lise Lapointe (AREQ (CSQ)

Catherine Bouchard

Tuesday, February 13, 2018 10:23

UPDATE
Tuesday, 13 February 2018 14:52

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The Centrale des syndicats de Québec (CSQ) denounces the regulations concerning the use of surveillance cameras in NURSING homes, considering that it made to wear to users and loved ones of the burden of quality health care to the beneficiaries of the residences.

“We have denounced it, that it is happening by regulation. It would have taken a public debate,” said Louise Chabot, president, CSQ.

“But what has been especially criticised, it is that we do rest on the back of the users and their families to take care of the quality (of care). The surveillance cameras, we have nothing against, but I would say that we should put in some offices : the office of the minister Barrette, and the office of the managers,” says Ms. Chabot.

Tuesday morning, the minister responsible for Seniors, France Charbonneau, and the minister of Health, Gaétan Barrette, has announced the entry into force of the regulation on the use of mechanisms of surveillance, such as cameras, on the 7th of march.

Not here to judge

“The camera is not there to judge, but rather to ensure the safety of users, indicates the minister Charbonneau. It is an additional tool to make images of something that have could have a doubt.”

The regulation stipulates, inter alia, that the camera installation is only allowed for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the resident and his or her property and find a case of abuse.

A guide on the steps to follow for the installation of a monitoring device will be sent to all the users and respondents. NURSING homes should clearly indicate the possible presence of camera and will need to notify a patron or sponsor, upon admission, of actions to be followed for the use of the camera.

In addition, a user or a respondent who wishes to install a surveillance device without notifying the responsible of the accommodation centre will be free to do so. “If they choose to do so without the knowledge of the officials, we hope that families will abide by the rules,” says the minister Charbonneau.

François Paradis, a spokesperson for the seniors Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) welcomes the new. He wonders, however, if it does not need to extend further the measurement.

“If you set clear guidelines, for NURSING homes, should we not also do the same for the private residences ? There are 1800 in Quebec. I think it has its place,” he argued.

The leader of the Parti québécois, Jean-François Lisée, is also in accordance with the regulations. “The people are at home, in their room, they should be able to film”, he says.

– With the collaboration of Patrick Bellerose and Nicolas Lachance