Quebec’s Ombudsman Raises Concerns About Empathy Decline in Health and Social Services
In a recent annual report presentation to the National Assembly, Quebec’s Ombudsman, Marc-André Dowd, highlighted a worrying trend of diminished empathy within the health and social services network. Particularly concerning were instances in seniors’ facilities (CHSLDs) where staff appeared to lack empathy towards users and their families, leading to serious consequences.
One case brought to light was that of a woman in a CHSLD who suffered a stroke with lasting effects, all while the staff remained oblivious to her deteriorating condition. Despite her daughter’s repeated alerts and demands to see a doctor, the woman was placed on a waiting list and not attended to for another 10 days, during which her health significantly worsened.
The Quebec Ombudsman’s report also pointed out the availability of an on-call doctor during the wait period, underscoring the missed opportunities for timely intervention and care. This incident adds to a series of previous concerns raised by the watchdog regarding the quality of care and attention in CHSLDs.
Notably, over 65% of complaints against CHSLDs in the recent period were found to have merit, indicating a troubling trend of unresolved issues within these facilities. The Ombudsman’s report serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining empathy and attentiveness in healthcare settings, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations.
