FOI Request for Health Canada
Amrit Kaur
13470 68 ave
V3W2G2
13 February 2025
Health Canada, Pacific Regional Office
300-1045 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9
Canada
Dear Jean-Yves Duclos,
This is a request under the Health Canada. I request that you provide me with:
Under the Access to Information Act, I request all the records, including complaints, investigation reports, and any correspondence related to the safety and care quality of Lynn Valley Care Centre from March 2020 to December 2024, specifically addressing any incidents during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am particularly interested in information regarding infection control, staffing issues, and the overall health and safety conditions of the residents during this periodI have enclosed the $500 application fee in the form of a cheque.
If there are problems releasing some portions of the documents requested, please do not withhold release of all the documents, but instead forward those you can release.
If possible, please forward the information in electronic form, either mailed to my address on a CD or emailed in any format (such as Excel, Word or PDF) easily accessible by a Windows computer, to amrit.kaur@kwantlen.net
If you have any concerns, please email me at amritkaur9924@gmail.com.
Please advise me when the material is available for release.
Sincerely,
Amrit Kaur
Explanation of request:
During the Covid-19 pandemic, long-term care homes faced significant challenges, including inadequate infection control, staffing shortages, and outdated infrastructure. Many facilities were unprepared, with shortages of PPE, overcrowded rooms, and delayed testing, which contributed to widespread outbreaks. The Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver became a stark example of these issues, experiencing a devastating outbreak that resulted in the deaths of 20 residents. The facility struggled with slow responses, insufficient PPE, and a lack of proper staff support, all of which worsened the crisis. In contrast, some other care homes with better preparation fared better in managing outbreaks. The critical question now is: "What steps are being taken to address these systemic issues in long-term care homes to improve infection control, staffing, and resident care in future crises?"
Relevant News Articles and reports:
Amrit's FOI request is well-written and clear, bringing to light significant problems at Lynn Valley Care Center during the epidemic. The issues of resident health, personnel, and infection control are critical. The background information provides context, and the tone is formal. A minor enhancement would be to begin by mentioning the Access to Information Act, Otherwise great work!!
ReplyDeleteHii Amrit, your Freedom of Information request is well-structured and effectively expresses the necessity of seeking information on the Lynn Valley Care Centre's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. You carefully identify the types of data you are looking for, such as complaints, investigation reports, and correspondence, ensuring an accurate response. The addition of historical context and related news stories improves the request by highlighting its importance to public health and policy changes.
ReplyDeleteHi Amrit, Your FOI request is well structured and detailed with your specific research on, Lynn Valley Care Centre in the phase of Covid- 19 Pandemic . I have one question does $500 were the application fees for this request. It would be great if you have chosen the research topic for making some new news story out of it for ongoing situations.
ReplyDeleteHi Amrit, your request is well-structured and provides a strong rationale for seeking information. You did a great job clearly outlining the specific records you are requesting and explaining the importance of the issue.
ReplyDeleteOne area for improvement is the mention of the "$500 application fee." Under the Access to Information Act, the standard fee is typically $5, unless additional processing costs apply. You may want to verify the correct amount to ensure your request is processed smoothly.