By Canadian Press

Quebec allowing four people per room in care homes, against coroner’s recommendations

Aug 22, 2022 | 9:55 AM

MONTREAL — Quebec’s Health Department is allowing long-term care centres to house up to four residents in the same room — a new directive that runs against recommendations by the coroner.

Jean-Charles Del Duchetto, a spokesman for the province’s seniors minister, says increasing the number of people in long-term care rooms will help reduce wait lists and ease pressure on hospitals.

He adds that many of the almost 4,300 people waiting for a spot in long-term care are in hospital.

The decision is in conflict with a formal recommendation by coroner Géhane Kamel, who investigated the high death toll in the province’s long-term care homes during the first wave of the pandemic.

Kamel said Quebec should ensure that residential-care facilities are able to offer single rooms to patients to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases among vulnerable people.

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The Health Department says the policy is a temporary measure, but it is not saying when the directive allowing an increase in room occupancy will be lifted.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2022.

The Canadian Press