Latest news with #AdamBoyd
The Province
2 days ago
- Health
- The Province
Family says Coquitlam man could have died from extreme cellulitis after neglect from CLBC
Adam Boyd says his severely autistic brother was neglected by the agency while his mother was in hospital causing his health to deteriorate. Families are coming forward to recount their stories as the review into CLBC gets underway. One man says his brother Hudson Boyd, pictured, developed cellulitis and leg ulcers while under the care of CLBC, but his concerns were rebuffed. Advocates say the solutions are well known but there has been a resistance from government to actually make real change. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Adam Boyd wasn't sure why his calls, texts and emails were going unanswered as he tried to reach someone, anyone, at Community Living B.C. to discuss the health of his brother, Hudson. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Boyd said his mother, who serves as Hudson's caregiver, has had repeated hospitalizations in recent years — 10 over the past two years — and wasn't able to care for Hudson, who is severely autistic. He said his brother's health started to suffer as a result, leading to Hudson developing extreme cellulitis and ulcers in his legs in April. CLBC contracts out responsibility for the day program that Hudson goes to in Coquitlam to the Community Integrated Services Society, and Boyd said the provincial Crown corporation should have been aware of both their mother's hospitalizations and the health problems Hudson was developing. The day program provides activities as well as volunteering and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, five days a week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Instead, Boyd said it took weeks of calling, texting and emailing his old case worker, his new caseworker, and the CLBC office to get a response. 'My brother is in care of someone who's been hospitalized three times in four months. To me, that would be a red flag to say, 'Listen, what's going on there where this caregiver has been hospitalized,'' Boyd told Postmedia. 'CLBC, their job is to make sure the safety of my brother and adults at risk due to disabilities.' In order to better care for Hudson, Boyd said he, his wife and their children have moved from Mission back to the family home in Coquitlam and are in the process of setting up a home share arrangement with CLBC, allowing them to be responsible for his care. The concerns raised by Boyd are the latest in a long line of concerns about the Crown agency, which has a budget of $1.8 billion and oversees the care of 29,000 British Columbians with a range of disabilities, such as autism and Down syndrome, that require daily care. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Last week, the provincial government launched a review of the agency's home-sharing program, which provides money to people who agree to become caregivers for people with disabilities unable to live on their own. The review comes after January coroner's inquest into the death of 54 year-old Florence Girard, who had Down syndrome, at her home share in 2018. It found Girard had starved to death due to neglect by her caregiver, Astrid Dahl. The B.C. Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that Dahl was guilty of failing to provide the 'necessaries of life' but not of criminal negligence. Recommendations by the inquest included establishing a case management system to help CLBC better track patients' needs and having the provincial government provide more funding for families who want to care for their relatives at home. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sheila Malcolmson, minister of social development and poverty reduction, said that CLBC has made numerous changes to how it operates in the seven years since Girard's death. She does concede, however, that she is still hearing concerns about the care provided by the agency, particularly through the home-share program, which is why the government has hired contractor Tamar Consultancy to conduct an independent review. One of Tamar Consultancy's principals is Tim Stainton, a professor emeritus at the UBC school of social work and part of the original board that led to the creation of CLBC. It is estimated the review will be finished by late September and cost $75,000. 'What I've asked for is a review of all of home sharing to make sure that the changes made in the years since actually had the impact that we wanted,' Malcolmson told Postmedia. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Boyd said that when he finally got through to CLBC after weeks of trying, the only response was that they were sorry his brother 'fell through the cracks' and that the day program had not been documenting the cellulitis or protusions in Hudson's legs. He said he was told that CLBC doesn't have access to health records, but has since been told by advocacy group Inclusion B.C. that that isn't true. 'It could have been really bad, like my brother could have lost a leg, or he could have died,' said Boyd. 'Another week or two, who knows what would have happened with this infection.' In a statement, a CLBC spokesperson said the agency could not comment on individual cases due to privacy legislation but did defend its staff by saying that they 'work closely with individuals (with developmental disabilities) and their families to understand what a good life looks like for them, and to connect them with services that reflect their support needs.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The representative also said the agency has made substantial changes since Girard's death in 2018, including requiring caregivers allow for home visits every three months and have the person they are taking care of undergo annual doctor's appointments. Not all advocates are convinced, noting there have been many reports over the years with the same recommendations. Former broadcaster Tamara Taggart, who ran unsuccessfully for the federal Liberals in the 2019 election and is now the president of Down Syndrome B.C., says that it feels a little like 'groundhog day' in the way the government is conducting another review into CLBC. She says the government is spending money on a 'make work' project instead of providing it to families who need help supporting their loved ones with disabilities. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'What I find most disappointing is that there were very clear recommendations from the coroner's report. It's available widely online. I don't know if the minister's office has read through it, but we don't need to have another consultation and report, we need to implement the recommendations,' said Taggart. 'We are not moving forward. We're moving backwards. And I think that the announcement of this review is a slap in the face, and it just shows that this government does not care.' Read More Vancouver Canucks Family & Child Vancouver Canucks News Local News
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
ASB Drops Mortgage Rates For The Seventh Time This Year
Press Release – ASB Bank 'Whether youre looking to fix or float, todays drops to our fixed lending rates across short and medium terms, along with our lower variable rates announced last week, give New Zealanders a range of appealing options to consider. ASB has today reduced several of its fixed home lending rates by up to 20 basis points, marking the bank's seventh fixed rate mortgage drop in 2025. ASB has also lowered some of its term deposit rates by between 5 and 20 basis points. ASB's Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says 'Interest rates remain a hot topic of conversation, with homeowners and first home buyers watching the market closely. Whether you're looking to fix or float, today's drops to our fixed lending rates across short and medium terms, along with our lower variable rates announced last week, give New Zealanders a range of appealing options to consider.' All rate decreases are effective immediately. Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
ASB Drops Mortgage Rates For The Seventh Time This Year
ASB has today reduced several of its fixed home lending rates by up to 20 basis points, marking the bank's seventh fixed rate mortgage drop in 2025. ASB has also lowered some of its term deposit rates by between 5 and 20 basis points. ASB's Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says 'Interest rates remain a hot topic of conversation, with homeowners and first home buyers watching the market closely. Whether you're looking to fix or float, today's drops to our fixed lending rates across short and medium terms, along with our lower variable rates announced last week, give New Zealanders a range of appealing options to consider.' All rate decreases are effective immediately. Fixed home lending term Previous rate New rate Rate decrease 6-month 5.59% 5.45% - 14 bps 1-year 4.99% 4.95% - 4 bps 18-month 4.99% 4.89% - 10 bps 2-year 4.99% 4.95% - 4 bps 3-year 5.35% 5.15% - 20 bps © Scoop Media ASB Bank Helping you get one step ahead. In 1847, ASB opened as the Auckland Savings Bank with the pledge: 'to serve the community; to grow and to help Kiwis grow'. And that is very much what ASB is about today. ASB is a leading provider of integrated financial services in New Zealand including retail, business and rural banking, funds management and insurance. ASB strives to consistently provide its customers with outstanding service and innovative financial solutions. They're dedicated to providing simple financial products that allow their customers to bank with them how and when they want. We all have our own ways to measure progress, and our own stories about the things that matter to us. Whatever way you choose to measure progress, and whatever your goals, ASB is there to help you get one step ahead.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
ASB Cuts Interest Rates
Press Release – ASB Bank ASBs Housing Variable Rate will drop 20 basis points from 6.64% to 6.44%, while Orbit Variable will move from 6.74% to 6.54%. ASBs Business Base Rate will drop 25 basis points from 11.77% to 11.52% while its Rural Base Rate will also drop by … ASB has responded to the RBNZ's OCR announcement today, and is reducing interest rates across personal, business and rural lending by up to 0.25%. ASB's Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says, 'As the easing interest rate cycle continues, we are maintaining support for our customers with lower lending rates. Our variable loans are held by nearly 150,000 New Zealanders across personal, business and rural lending and these rates are the lowest they've been in more than two years.' 'We carefully consider the impact rate reductions have for all our customers. Today's response to the OCR will bring relief to households and businesses while acknowledging the needs of our savers by not passing on the full 25 basis point cut to our savings products,' says Mr. Boyd. ASB's Housing Variable Rate will drop 20 basis points from 6.64% to 6.44%, while Orbit Variable will move from 6.74% to 6.54%. ASB's Business Base Rate will drop 25 basis points from 11.77% to 11.52% while its Rural Base Rate will also drop by 0.25% from 9.01% to 8.76%. In response to the OCR decrease, ASB is lowering some of its savings products, including Savings On Call and Headstart, by 20 basis points. Home Loan* Current Rates New Rates Rate Change Housing Variable 6.64% 6.44% – 0.20% Orbit Variable 6.74% 6.54% – 0.20% Back My Build 4.19% 3.99% – 0.20% Note – Back My Build applications are no longer open to new customers. *These changes are effective from Wednesday 4thJune 2025 for new lending customers, and Friday 6thJune 2025 for existing lending customers. Business Loan* Current Rates New Rates Rate Change Business and Rural Floating Base Rate 4.94% 4.69% – 0.25% Business Base Rate 11.77% 11.52% – 0.25% Rural Base Rate 9.01% 8.76% – 0.25% Corporate Indicator Rate 6.18% 5.93% – 0.25% Special Purpose Base Rate 4.75% 4.50% – 0.25% *These changes are effective from Thursday 5th June 2025 for both new and existing customers. Savings Band Current Rates New Rates Rate Change Savings On Call & ASB Cash Fund* All Balances 0.90% 0.70% – 0.20% Savings Plus** No Bonus 0.70% 0.50% – 0.20% Partial Bonus 0.80% 0.60% – 0.20% Full Bonus 2.90% 2.70% – 0.20% Headstart* All Balances 2.90% 2.70% – 0.20% *These changes are effective from Friday 6thJune 2025 for new and existing customers. ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website as well support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
ASB Cuts Interest Rates
ASB has responded to the RBNZ's OCR announcement today, and is reducing interest rates across personal, business and rural lending by up to 0.25%. ASB's Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says, 'As the easing interest rate cycle continues, we are maintaining support for our customers with lower lending rates. Our variable loans are held by nearly 150,000 New Zealanders across personal, business and rural lending and these rates are the lowest they've been in more than two years.' 'We carefully consider the impact rate reductions have for all our customers. Today's response to the OCR will bring relief to households and businesses while acknowledging the needs of our savers by not passing on the full 25 basis point cut to our savings products,' says Mr. Boyd. ASB's Housing Variable Rate will drop 20 basis points from 6.64% to 6.44%, while Orbit Variable will move from 6.74% to 6.54%. ASB's Business Base Rate will drop 25 basis points from 11.77% to 11.52% while its Rural Base Rate will also drop by 0.25% from 9.01% to 8.76%. In response to the OCR decrease, ASB is lowering some of its savings products, including Savings On Call and Headstart, by 20 basis points. Home Loan* Current Rates New Rates Rate Change Housing Variable 6.64% 6.44% - 0.20% Orbit Variable 6.74% 6.54% - 0.20% Back My Build 4.19% 3.99% - 0.20% Note - Back My Build applications are no longer open to new customers. *These changes are effective from Wednesday 4thJune 2025 for new lending customers, and Friday 6thJune 2025 for existing lending customers. Business Loan* Current Rates New Rates Rate Change Business and Rural Floating Base Rate 4.94% 4.69% - 0.25% Business Base Rate 11.77% 11.52% - 0.25% Rural Base Rate 9.01% 8.76% - 0.25% Corporate Indicator Rate 6.18% 5.93% - 0.25% Special Purpose Base Rate 4.75% 4.50% - 0.25% *These changes are effective from Thursday 5th June 2025 for both new and existing customers. Savings Band Current Rates New Rates Rate Change Savings On Call & ASB Cash Fund* All Balances 0.90% 0.70% - 0.20% Savings Plus** No Bonus 0.70% 0.50% - 0.20% Partial Bonus 0.80% 0.60% - 0.20% Full Bonus 2.90% 2.70% - 0.20% Headstart* All Balances 2.90% 2.70% - 0.20% *These changes are effective from Friday 6thJune 2025 for new and existing customers. ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website as well support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub. ASB Bank Helping you get one step ahead. In 1847, ASB opened as the Auckland Savings Bank with the pledge: 'to serve the community; to grow and to help Kiwis grow'. And that is very much what ASB is about today. ASB is a leading provider of integrated financial services in New Zealand including retail, business and rural banking, funds management and insurance. ASB strives to consistently provide its customers with outstanding service and innovative financial solutions. They're dedicated to providing simple financial products that allow their customers to bank with them how and when they want. We all have our own ways to measure progress, and our own stories about the things that matter to us. Whatever way you choose to measure progress, and whatever your goals, ASB is there to help you get one step ahead.
