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Telephone:
416 928-0900
Toll Free in Ontario:
1 800 387-5526
Fax:
416 928-6507
What's New
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2003
College of Nurses Responds to Concerns About the Neglect and Abuse of the Elderly
Toronto –– The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is very concerned about allegations of abuse and neglect that have been reported in the media recently. The College will determine the best actions to take to protect the elderly and ensure they receive quality nursing care.
“We are very interested in what is happening to the elderly in institutions,” says Anne Coghlan, Executive Director of the College. “As the regulator of nursing in this province, the College is here to protect the public’s right to safe, effective, ethical nursing care. Ontario’s elderly are falling victim to abuse and neglect. We want to understand why and be part of developing strategies to prevent and eventually eradicate abuse.”
The College believes that the issue of poor and inadequate client care in nursing homes is very complex. “Systemic and multi-faceted issues may be involved,” says Ms Coghlan.
“Nurses may not have the supports needed to meet the standards of care set by the College. This could mean thorough examination of nursing staffing levels, facility policies, government regulation and nursing standards is required. The College has an essential role in working with nurses to develop strategies to ensure that this vulnerable population is protected.”
As the regulator of the nursing profession in the public interest, the College has an essential role in working with nurses to develop abuse prevention strategies and promote quality care.
The College regulates 140,000 nurses in Ontario. Its mission is to protect the public’s right to quality nursing services by providing leadership to the nursing profession in self-regulation. CNO establishes the entry requirements for new nurses, sets and enforces the practice standards, and operates a variety of programs to support and ensure nurses’ ongoing competence.
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For more information contact:
Cindy Campbell, Manager, Communications
E-mail: ccampbell@cnomail.org
Tel: 416 928-0900 (or toll free: 1 800 387-5526), ext. 6309
To learn more about CNO visit our website at www.cno.org.
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