The Québec Ombudsman received a report concerning the process of accessing a place in a public residential resource for a user on the territory of Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de la Capitale-Nationale.
Findings
The investigation showed that the CIUSSS had brokered with private seniors’ residences even though the user was at high risk for falling and had behavioural disorders and difficulties understanding incompatible with living environments of that kind. This negotiation, without the consent of the user or his family, meant that the user’s hospital stay was longer. Furthermore, the CIUSSS had taken the person’s income into account in determining whether he qualified for a public residential resource. This is not sanctioned by any law or Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) policy or thrust.
Recommendations
The Québec Ombudsman made three recommendations to the CIUSSS, including presenting users with all residential options for which they qualify, whether public or private. It also recommanded that MSSS rule on the legitimacy of taking applicants’ incomes into account in assessing their eligibility for a residential resource. The CIUSSS and MSSS committed to implement the Québec Ombudsman’s recommendations.
English summary of the intervention report concerning CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale (PDF, 24 KiB)
The Québec Ombudsman sees to it that the rights of health and social services network users are upheld. Want to report a troubling situation you have witnessed? Do you feel that the rights of a service user or several service users have not been respected? Report it by calling us at 1-800-463-5070 or by using our online complaint form.
