”Beyond shocking”.

That’s the reaction of the head of Ontario’s healthcare watchdog to the finding that there were at least 29 homicides in long-term care homes the last six years.

(Natalie Mehra/Canadian Press/Chris Young)

Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, told Zoomer Radio’s ”Fight Back” with Libby Znaimer, her group’s concerned bythe escalation of violence.

“People expect that they’re putting their loved one into a place that’s safe, and where they’re going to be cared for.  We don’t want to scare people, that’s not our goal,” Mehra told Zoomer Radio.

”But we do want to shine a spotlight on these issues because I think that they really underline the need, they amplify the real need to improve the care and health of long-term care homes.”

The coalition’s just released report ”Situation Critical,” reveals inadequate levels of care and extremely long waiting lists and calls on the province to institute a minimum standard of care; guaranteeing at least four-hours of hands-on nursing and personal support for each of the nearly 80,000 long-term care residents.