N.S. woman with cerebral palsy denied extra home care

A Halifax woman with cerebral palsy seeking more home care hours from the province was officially denied funding for emergency funds she needed to pay her care givers on Wednesday.

Gerrianne Hull uses the province's self-managed care program that provides money so she can hire her own home care workers to help look after her daily needs. They help Hull — who has limited mobility and difficulty speaking — get around day to day. Last weekend, she ran out of money to pay them.

"It's very stressful for her to think she's not going to be able to pay people and have her attendants there for the hours that she requires for her to live independently and achieve her goals, which is ultimately to go back to work," said Fiona Traynor, Hull's legal worker with Dalhousie Legal Aid Service.

Seeking more hours

Hull asked the Nova Scotia Health Authority in February if she could add 110 hours of care to the 205 hours of care she receives now every month. She currently receives just under seven hours of care a day, but was hoping to increase that to just over 10. The request was denied and she's has since tried to appeal that decision.

In an email to CBC News, Nova Scotia's Department of Health and Wellness said it could not comment on Hull's specific situation, but said generally, if a client requires more than the maximum number of hours allowed in the program, a decision could be determined by a health care coordinator. 

The department said the self-managed care program supports people at home and it is expected that clients who use this care program would have other supports in place to address extra care needs. 

Hull not looking for 24/7 care        

The health department said the self-managed care program is not intended to be for 24/7 care and said if someone's care needs increase or they require 24/7 care, they should explore other care options. Traynor said Hull was not requesting 24/7 care.

"I think that the government is implicitly saying that if someone needs 24/7 care that they have to be put into some kind of institution and that's just not acceptable for someone like Gerrianne who wants to live independently, is able to live independently, has a sharp mind, has gone to college, has diplomas, has worked in the past and wants to do so again," said Traynor.

Traynor said those extra 110 hours would allow Gerrianne to participate in her work readiness programs, to go to the gym and to interact and be included in the community.

Opposition backs Hull

Health critics of the Opposition parties are criticizing the McNeil government for the decision.

Chris d'Entremont, health critic for the Progressive Conservative party said in a statement that McNeil "nickel and dimes vulnerable people who are doing their best to live independently and with dignity."  

He called for the province to fix the situation by the end of the day.

Dave Wilson, health critic for the NDP, said in a statement that it is unconscionable that the Nova Scotia Health Authority and Liberal government would deny Hull's request. He said Health Minister Leo Glavine has a responsibility to ensure Hull has access to the services she needs.