Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier during this question and answer period I had questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding the boarding home. I've been advised that the ratio for beds to washrooms is 6:1 in the boarding home. Is this ratio to code? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. The boarding home is up to code with the Fire Marshall and environmental health officers.
I keep hearing concerns about this ratio of 6:1, and some of the concerns they have is people who, you know, take medication and they have to be close to the washroom, and they don't seem to have washrooms available. Does the boarding home take this into account when they assign patients' beds?
As much as possible, the answer is yes. They do attempt to triage patients as best they can; however, they're not always aware of all the information, or all the preferences, or all the needs of our clients and/or our patients. We strongly encourage our residents to let the boarding home what some of their limitations are as much in advance as possible, so that they can be properly triaged and properly placed.
Just as a note, there are some public washrooms available in the facility if one of the ones that are in the area they're staying in is occupied. So there are options, but they do try to triage these residents.
Some of the other concerns I heard were regarding the food. Does the department inspect the food on a regular basis?
The menus that are provided by the Vital Abel are actually approved by a dietician. The boarding home also maintains compliance under the Food Establishment Safety Regulations under the Public Health Act, so they are inspected from time to time. I think the important note here is that the menus are approved by dieticians.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Minister for these answers. So a dietician is in place. I'm assuming, and I don't want to assume, so I'm going to ask the question here again with the Minister: can the Minister advise how the department works with the boarding home to ensure that the Canada's Food Guide is actually followed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The menus are reviewed by a dietician, and the contract that we do have with the boarding home has provisions requiring the contractor to be compliant with the Canada's Food Guide, so dietician and contract. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
