Latest news with #APTS
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Union sounds alarm over 'critical situation' at care home for seniors in Laval, Que.
A group of health-care workers providing at-home support for seniors are sounding the alarm over what they say is a "critical situation" at Le Dufresne, an intermediate care residence in Laval, Que. The union representing the workers – the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS) – says the government needs to act now, after some members reported seeing instances of mistreatment and inadequate care at the home. "There are people who suffer from heat, suffer from dehydration, who do not eat enough, who are washed with pillowcases," said APTS president Robert Comeau in French. "For us that is unacceptable." Comeau described situations where residents are brought trays of food, but go hungry because they are unable to feed themselves. In other cases, they develop fungal infections on their feet due to a lack of basic hygiene services. Sanjay Pentiah said his 87-year-old mother has been living there for almost three years. As he visited with her on Friday, he spoke to CBC and also expressed dissatisfaction with the facility's sanitation. "There's a lot to do, her room needs to be cleaned more often," Pentiah said, adding the bathroom is especially problematic. Comeau, for his part, said that despite having signalled these issues to the appropriate health authorities at the end of May, little has been done to address them. Le Dufresne, is a private residence that provides care to people experiencing a loss of autonomy and operates in partnership with Quebec's public health network. Comeau explained that APTS members are social workers, technicians and psycho-educators who, through the regional health authority, the CISSS de Laval, are assigned to the home. "They are not employees of the residence but external suppliers," he said. WATCH | CHSLD reflects on lessons learned 5 years after pandemic: In a statement written in French, the office for Lionel Carmant, the minister responsible for social services, confirmed the APTS had sent him a letter regarding observed shortcomings in the provision of care. "We immediately contacted Santé Québec to obtain more information regarding the allegations raised," the statement reads. "The information received is reassuring regarding the quality of care provided." It continues by stating that several actions have been taken to remedy the situation as quickly as possible and that an investigation is underway by Santé Québec's national inspector. Meanwhile, in a email sent to residents and family caregivers, the CISSS de Laval reiterated that it is collaborating with the Dufresne residence to ensure the quality and safe delivery of care and services. To that end, the residence has made several adjustments in recent months and significant investments were made to improve infrastructure, the CISSS said, without elaborating on what changes were made. The CISSS also said it is continually looking to identify areas for improvement and adopt new approaches and says it will welcome any recommendations stemming from Santé Québec's investigation, whose report is due in the fall. Change should come sooner rather than later, says union Comeau, was critical of the investigation saying it keeps getting pushed back and needs to be done now. "There are some people who are suffering," he said. He also wondered why the workers who first reported issues had yet to be interviewed and said that despite reassurances to the contrary, they had not seen any tangible improvements. He clarified that the complaints weren't directed at Le Dufresne employees, but rather the institution for failing to provide adequate services. "We are not ready to throw a stone at the people who work there," Comeau said, adding there might be staffing issues or workers might not have the right training. Monique Pratt, a nurse who visits the residence maybe once a week, said she doesn't spend enough time there to be able to say if services are adequate. She did, however, say that she feels there isn't enough personnel — a problem across several intermediate care residences, she said. Patrick Martin Ménard, a medical liability lawyer, said Santé Québec's primary responsibility is to protect users and says transparency is key. "When we receive this type of call for help, it's important that we intervene decisively and demonstrate all possible transparency to shed light on the situation and also try to understand what led to it," he said.
CBC
3 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Union sounds alarm over 'critical situation' at care home for seniors in Laval, Que.
A group of health-care workers providing at-home support for seniors are sounding the alarm over what they say is a "critical situation" at Le Dufresne, an intermediate care residence in Laval, Que. The union representing the workers – the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS) – says the government needs to act now, after some members reported seeing instances of mistreatment and inadequate care at the home. "There are people who suffer from heat, suffer from dehydration, who do not eat enough, who are washed with pillowcases," said APTS president Robert Comeau in French. "For us that is unacceptable." Comeau described situations where residents are brought trays of food, but go hungry because they are unable to feed themselves. In other cases, they develop fungal infections on their feet due to a lack of basic hygiene services. Sanjay Pentiah said his 87-year-old mother has been living there for almost three years. As he visited with her on Friday, he spoke to CBC and also expressed dissatisfaction with the facility's sanitation. "There's a lot to do, her room needs to be cleaned more often," Pentiah said, adding the bathroom is especially problematic. Comeau, for his part, said that despite having signalled these issues to the appropriate health authorities at the end of May, little has been done to address them. Le Dufresne, is a private residence that provides care to people experiencing a loss of autonomy and operates in partnership with Quebec's public health network. Comeau explained that APTS members are social workers, technicians and psycho-educators who, through the regional health authority, the CISSS de Laval, are assigned to the home. "They are not employees of the residence but external suppliers," he said. WATCH | CHSLD reflects on lessons learned 5 years after pandemic: 4 months ago The COVID-19 pandemic's first wave tore through Quebec's long-term care homes, killing more than 5,000 seniors between March 2020 and March 2021. A coroner's report revealed that there was a lack of protective equipment, staff and training in the facilities. Five years later, the province says CHSLDs are doing better. In a statement written in French, the office for Lionel Carmant, the minister responsible for social services, confirmed the APTS had sent him a letter regarding observed shortcomings in the provision of care. "We immediately contacted Santé Québec to obtain more information regarding the allegations raised," the statement reads. "The information received is reassuring regarding the quality of care provided." It continues by stating that several actions have been taken to remedy the situation as quickly as possible and that an investigation is underway by Santé Québec's national inspector. Meanwhile, in a email sent to residents and family caregivers, the CISSS de Laval reiterated that it is collaborating with the Dufresne residence to ensure the quality and safe delivery of care and services. To that end, the residence has made several adjustments in recent months and significant investments were made to improve infrastructure, the CISSS said, without elaborating on what changes were made. The CISSS also said it is continually looking to identify areas for improvement and adopt new approaches and says it will welcome any recommendations stemming from Santé Québec's investigation, whose report is due in the fall. Change should come sooner rather than later, says union Comeau, was critical of the investigation saying it keeps getting pushed back and needs to be done now. "There are some people who are suffering," he said. He also wondered why the workers who first reported issues had yet to be interviewed and said that despite reassurances to the contrary, they had not seen any tangible improvements. He clarified that the complaints weren't directed at Le Dufresne employees, but rather the institution for failing to provide adequate services. "We are not ready to throw a stone at the people who work there," Comeau said, adding there might be staffing issues or workers might not have the right training. Monique Pratt, a nurse who visits the residence maybe once a week, said she doesn't spend enough time there to be able to say if services are adequate. She did, however, say that she feels there isn't enough personnel — a problem across several intermediate care residences, she said. Patrick Martin Ménard, a medical liability lawyer, said Santé Québec's primary responsibility is to protect users and says transparency is key. "When we receive this type of call for help, it's important that we intervene decisively and demonstrate all possible transparency to shed light on the situation and also try to understand what led to it," he said.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Allegations of neglect at senior's home in Laval prompt investigation
Allegations of neglect have emerged at Le Dufresne resources intermediaries (RI) in Laval. (Swidda Rassy/CTV) Health care workers at a Laval seniors' residence claim the facility is struggling with poor hygiene, missed meals, and cases of severe dehydration, along with other things. The union representing the workers at Le Dufresne resources intermediaries (RI) in Laval says the situation is 'critical.' 'There are people who aren't eating enough, people who aren't drinking enough, and there are very serious hygiene problems,' said Robert Comeau, president of the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS). Le Dufresne RI houses around 110 residents. While healthcare services are provided by employees of CISSS de Laval, hygiene and housekeeping are managed by Le Dufresne RI. Comeau says the union has been raising concerns about the facility since May. The situation has prompted an investigation by Quebec's Ministry of Health and Social Services. In a statement to CTV News, the Ministry confirmed it had contacted Santé Québec to launch an investigation. 'Several actions have already been taken to remedy the situation as quickly as possible,' it said. 'We will continue to monitor the situation closely.' CISSS de Laval also confirmed that it is working with Le Dufresne RI to address the concerns. 'Major investments have been made to improve infrastructure, and adjustments have been made to ensure the delivery of safe, quality care and services,' it said in a statement. Both CISSS de Laval and Le Dufresne RI say it will accept the recommendations of the investigation, which began in early June and is expected to continue through the summer. The results of the investigation will be released in the fall. That said, Comeau believes that urgent action is required, and that the investigation should not take so long. 'In our view, it shouldn't take three months,' he said.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Unions slam Quebec government for adopting law limiting strikes
Members of the FAE teachers union march to begin their strike, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) Quebec's bill limiting the scope of strikes was adopted Thursday, and labour unions are calling it a 'dark day' for all workers. 'The premier and his labour minister have clearly failed to grasp the extent of the damage that this new legislation will cause,' said the heads of nine major unions in a news release. The Coalition Avenir Québec and the Liberals voted for the bill, while the Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire voted against it. It passed with 94 votes. Labour Minister Jean Boulet said the bill intended to 'take into consideration the needs of the population' and said, 'whether it's a strike or lockout, it's important to find the right balance.' There were 759 work stoppages (90 per cent of which were strikes) in Quebec in 2024, the highest of all Canadian provinces. He said some strikes go on for 'very long periods of time' with 'many different damages.' Under the new law, arbitrators can determine the content of a collective agreement in order to end a labour dispute in certain cases. Workers must now maintain 'minimum services,' rather than 'essential services,' during a strike or lockout to ensure the 'well-being of the population' and avoid 'disproportionately affecting the social, economic or environmental security' of the population. The Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS), Centrale des syndicats démocratiques (CSD), Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), Fédération Autonome de l'Enseignement (FAE), Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) and Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) all came out against Bill 89. Minister turning 'everything upside down' The unions say there was already a 'fragile balance' between workers and employers. 'Trade unions cannot understand why Jean Boulet wanted to turn everything upside down, except to subject all employees to the whims of employers and to please employers and a cabinet with anti-union tendencies,' they said. 'The framework surrounding the exercise of the right to strike, which was limited overall, offered workers the opportunity to improve their conditions within clear guidelines. The minister seems to have found excuses to trample on their rights.' Québec Solidaire's Alexandre Leduc called the law 'discriminatory' and 'authoritarian,' saying it gives the Labour Minister too much power to break strikes. He sided with the unions, pointing out that there are already provisions protecting essential services when it comes to labour disputes that have proven successful. Boulet pushed back saying the decisions will be handed down by impartial and independent parties like the Labour Tribunal and arbitrators. Leduc maintained that strikes are preceded by months of negotiations, and 'it's not fun for anyone to go on strike' but it is one of the only tools to demand better working conditions and 'improve the quality of life for the middle class.' He also said employers often stall negotiations, but 'no one talks about that perspective.' Law could end up before the courts The unions say the impact of the bill will be felt even by non-unionized workers. 'The gains achieved through bargaining exert positive pressure on non-unionized sectors, forcing employers to adjust to remain competitive. The government is attacking the entire Quebec workforce by limiting workers' ability to defend and improve their working conditions,' they said. Pay equity, the establishment of the public child care network, the minimum wage, and parental leave are 'just some of the gains achieved through union mobilization,' they added. Interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay agreed with Boulet on the importance of 'striking a balance' while respecting the fundamental right to strike. Unions can contest the law in court, he said. The unions believe the law would not hold up in court. Meanwhile, they say the Labour Minister is 'not open to discussion' to find a mutually satisfactory solution, and 'trust has been broken.'
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh Technology Services to establish offices in all 26 districts
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Technology Services (APTS) is set to establish district offices in all 26 district headquarters in the state. APTS Chairman Mannava Mohana Krishna announced this initiative, aimed at providing better technological services, strengthening the district-level IT ecosystem, enhancing IT infrastructure and procurements, encouraging local startups, and supporting local entrepreneurs. Each district-level APTS office will be headed by an IT manager and supported by three assistant managers. According to Mohana Krishna, the establishment of these offices will simplify the state government's e-governance programs and support initiatives such as the Ratan Tata Innovation Hubs, data centers, co-working space initiatives, and e-office systems. Addressing the media at his chamber in Vijayawada on Thursday, Mohana Krishna said that the APTS is undertaking multiple initiatives to promote digital governance, strengthen cyber security, and expand information technology in the state under the leadership of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and IT minister Nara Lokesh. Mohana Krishna highlighted the organization's achievements, including transactions worth Rs 110 crore carried out through APTS Procurement Services between July 2024 and April 2025. The APTS Procurement Services has set a target of achieving Rs 600 crore worth of transactions for the current fiscal year, with more procurements of software, hardware, and IT consultancy services expected in the coming days. Additionally, APTS has successfully executed Aadhaar-based transactions worth Rs 19.39 crore and e-KYC transactions worth Rs 5.98 crore over the past year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Platt Bridge: If You Were Born Between 1945-1974 You Could Be Eligible For This British Seniors Read More Undo APTS has also issued 19,500 digital signature certificates and conducted over 650 cybersecurity audits of government web and mobile applications. The organization is currently monitoring 30,000 events per second (EPS) through the AP Cyber Security Operational Centre (APCSOC). Furthermore, APTS has published 55,486 tenders worth Rs 41,000 crore through the e-procurement platform. With these initiatives, APTS is playing a key role in promoting digital governance and strengthening cyber security in Andhra Pradesh. The establishment of district offices is expected to further enhance the organization's efforts in supporting local entrepreneurs, startups, and the state's economy.
