VICTORIA – New Democrat health critic Judy Darcy and critic for seniors’ issues Katrine Conroy issued the following statement in recognition of Health Care Assistant Day:

“Today is B.C.’s third-annual Health Care Assistant Day and on behalf of our New Democrat colleagues, we’d like to extend our gratitude for the ardent dedication and hard work of health care assistants across the province.

“The 38,000 health care assistants in B.C. put their skills to work in a wide variety of settings including residential care, community and home support, and in acute care hospitals. They tend to people’s most personal care needs and establish long-term relationships with patients, residents and their families. Frequently working with frail seniors, many health care assistants become like family to patients and are often the only person seniors interact with in a given day.

“These skilled individuals are our care aides, community health workers and front-line staff. They are a vital part of the health care team and our health care system simply could not function without them.

“Their skills and contribution often go unrecognized, so it is especially important that today we honour the work they do to care for those in need. We encourage all British Columbians to thank the health care assistants they know who improve the quality of life for so many of our friends and family members.”