Video of Health Minister's "Walk-A-Day" in the shoes of a Personal Support Worker released

RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Today SEIU Healthcare released a video of Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews "Walking - A - Day" in the footsteps of Juliette Chestney, a Personal Support Worker (PSW) from Milton.  The event was designed to increase understanding of the important role that PSWs play in Ontario's healthcare system and learn about the challenges faced everyday by frontline healthcare staff. The event was organized by SEIU Healthcare, Canada's largest healthcare union, which represents Ms. Chestney, in collaboration with Red Cross Care Partners and the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre.

The video shows Minister Matthews joining Ms. Chestney as they go about a typical day for a PSW. Along the way Ms. Matthews learns what PSWs do and how different skills are needed for different people, how important PSWs are in helping to keep clients at home rather than being put in long-term care, and the comfort and respite PSWs provide to families.

We meet two clients, one an 87-year-old grandmother with leg problems and a 22-year-old man who has physical challenges that restrict him to a wheelchair. During the visits, the Minister was able to observe many of the typical tasks that PSWs perform every day, such as providing assistance in bathing and dressing, oral health care, assistance getting out of bed, and performing range of motion exercises. In the process, the Minister was able to witness the strong and trusting bond that people in need of care form with their PSW.

Both clients and family members are interviewed and talk about the importance of PSWs to their families in the video. Ms. Matthews comments that the PSW position is a highly skilled job and is the backbone of the healthcare system in which we need to invest more.

Emanuel Carvalho, Executive Vice-President of SEIU Healthcare concludes the video by calling for an action plan to address the future needs of homecare.  He said a major priority of SEIU Healthcare  is to increase awareness of what PSWs do, and the invaluable care they provide to people in all walks of life.

"We are very pleased that the Minister was able to spend some time with one of our PSWs and have an opportunity to see first-hand the critical role that PSWs play in the lives of people needing assistance," said Sharleen Stewart, President, SEIU Healthcare. "She was able to both learn about the day-to-day challenges faced by PSWs, such as not having enough time with each client, to more systemic issues such as how to attract and retain quality healthcare workers to ensure the long-term sustainability of the heathcare system."

To view the video please visit: https://vimeo.com/67587704

About SEIU Healthcare

SEIU Healthcare, Canada's largest healthcare union, represents more than 55,000 healthcare and community services workers across Ontario.  The union's members work in hospitals, home care, nursing and retirement homes and community services throughout the province. SEIU Healthcare has a strong track record of achieving fair wages and benefits and safe working conditions for healthcare workers, supporting the training and development needs of its members, and strengthening standards in the management and delivery of patient and client care.

SOURCE: SEIU Healthcare

Kyle Ferguson 
Media Relations Specialist, SEIU Healthcare
Tel: [phone] x 3123   Cell: 416-809-0699   
Email: [email protected]