Quebec is going backwards. The Legault government plans to maintain a one-year period during which attendants in private seniors’ residences (RPA) can remain in their positions without following the required training. It is a measure that was praised by homes for the elderly, but strongly criticized by the Federation of Health and Social Services (FSSS-CSN).
Currently, RPA attendees have a period of one year after employment to complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training related to the Principles of Patron Safe Movement (PDSB).
Last year, the government announced that agents must have completed training when appointed from December 2023. The government finally reversed its decision last week, pushing back that deadline by one year.
In the Official Gazette of Quebec Published on 1any In November, the government said it was considering keeping this one-year deadline for another year. Otherwise, he expects “significant difficulties in staffing,” which could “jeopardize the health and safety of residents in private seniors’ homes.”
“We would have hit the wall.”
President and CEO of the Accommodation Association of Quebec for Seniors, Marc Fortin, is happy with the decision. He feared service disruption if training became mandatory upon hiring. “It was a measure that was heavily criticized,” he added.
Mr. Fortin has been calling for this change for about a year. “We were going to hit a wall next year. We all knew it was going to be a big problem, so there had to be a change.
Despite the year-long delay in getting training, Mr. Fortin does not fear for patients. “Attendees are supervised. We won’t leave them alone. It’s the same across the board,” he says.
“Horrific situations” are expected
However, this announcement was poorly received by the FSSS-CSN. “We are aware that there is a staff shortage, but to allow an entire year without following this basic training is beyond comprehension,” Lucy Longchamp, vice president of the union organization, said in a press release. She stresses that CPR training only lasts one day, and that without this training, “terrifying situations” are expected.
“Not receiving proper transport training portends many work accidents,” says Marilyn Ross, Special Accommodation Centers Sector Representative at FSSS-CSN. She believes workers should be trained upon arrival or within weeks of being hired.
The union organization is asking the government to require RPA workers to receive basic training more quickly.
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