Media release: For-profit takeover of Millrise fails to address proble
CALGARY – Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees continue calling for a full phase-out of for-profit operators in Alberta’s continuing care system in response to the COVID-19 Crisis.
“News that for-profit provider AgeCare will be taking over the operations of Millrise Seniors Village for the next 90 days, just swaps one for-profit provider for another,” says Alberta Union of Provincial Employees President Guy Smith.
“AHS didn’t actually take over as has been reported, they’ve just temporarily handed off the mess. It’s left Alberta workers in continuing care feeling like they’re trapped in a game of musical chairs while the Titanic is sinking,” says Smith.
Of the 31 outbreaks in continuing care homes, 18 have been in for-profit centres. According to AHS’ release issued Monday, the services of AgeCare have been retained to oversee management and operations. AgeCare was also noted as “a trusted provider” in the release, baffling many frontline workers.
While Retirement Concepts has required government intervention in four separate facilities in British Columbia, AgeCare is also currently dealing with outbreaks at four of their own facilities in Alberta.
“Something doesn’t smell right. As a union representing Millrise, AgeCare and Alberta Health Services workers, we weren’t informed of the handover of operations to for-profit AgeCare before it happened,” added Smith. “Alberta Health Services has considerable in-house expertise and province wide experience with the pandemic, if anyone should be taking over operations it should be them.”
“This is the wrong direction. While the private continuing care sector still exists there should at least be a suspension of profit-making during this pandemic,” Smith says.
“Why are we funding executive salaries and shareholder dividends at a time when we need that money for more staff and adequate personal protective equipment?” asked Smith. “We need AHS to guarantee that one hundred percent of revenues from the public and continuing care residents goes to front line care.”
-30-
President Guy Smith is available for interviews.
For more information, contact: Trevor Zimmerman, Communications, 780-919-9975