GAFFNEY CASE FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF CLBC
VANCOUVER - The decision to keep Mr. John Gaffney in hospital rather than place him in a suitable group home further highlights the need for an independent review into Community Living B.C, said New Democrat leader Adrian Dix today.
“Government policies are creating a crisis in Community Living B.C., and for its clients. They are forcing group home closures, creating waitlists with 2800 people who are receiving insufficient or no assistance, and arbitrarily cutting services for youth with disabilities when they turn 19, though their needs remain the same. The case of Mr. Gaffney further highlights why we need an independent review of the Liberal’s mismanagement of CLBC,“ said Dix.
“Under current government directive, CLBC refuses to move Mr. Gaffney, who has Down Syndrome and Alzhemier’s-related dementia, out of Vancouver General Hospital and into a residential group home that specializes in supporting individuals with these conditions. This is the second viable group home placement for John that CLBC has rejected within the past five and half months. As a result, he is still at VGH, even though hospital staff and his family all agree he should be discharged,” said Dix.
The latest group home placement is not only the more appropriate care setting for Mr. Gaffney, but it would also generate savings for the system. Recently, the Development Disabilities Association (DDA), which specializes in operating group homes for people with Down Syndrome and related conditions, offered CLBC a placement for John at 50 per cent of the standard cost of a group home bed. Having the necessary staff and infrastructure in place is allowing DDA to make this proposal.
“This is a positive solution, one that CLBC should accept. It is also proof that the community sector and families have answers to end the CLBC crisis,” said Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver Mount Pleasant.
Kwan has been advocating for the Gaffney family for several months.
CLBC is refusing group home placements for Mr. Gaffney because it insists he return to a home share arrangement. Three separate care providers and his family have all stated a home share arrangement is not suitable for him, because his needs have increased due to the onset of Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
“CLBC recently stated that placing my brother in a group home would be ‘over-serving him,’ when in fact it is CLBC that is forcing the system to over serve him. Placing John in this group home would save upwards of $79,000. In contrast, keeping him in an acute care bed at VGH has, to date, cost $165,000,“ said John’s sister Mo, who is also a community-based nurse.
"DDA's offer would provide John the 24/7 care and supervision he needs for his health and safety, and is clearly more cost efficient than keeping him in acute care. CLBC needs to accept this placement,” said Nicholas Simons, New Democrat CLBC critic.
“The Gaffney family’s struggle to secure the appropriate care for John through CLBC adds to the growing loss of confidence in this government agency, and its ability to make decisions that put the safety, health and inclusion of people with disabilities first. An independent review of CLBC is necessary to resolve this crisis,” said Simons.
