A quadriplegic senior on Vancouver Island, who has been going days without a bowel routine due to changes to his care, says things have gotten worse as he continues to be assigned community health workers (CHWs) unable to facilitate an essential part of the routine.
Murray Hindley of Saanich, B.C., told CBC News in May that after more than 25 years of relatively consistent care, he had started getting assigned workers untrained to facilitate digital stimulations, which trigger a bowel movement for people with a spinal cord injury. On multiple occasions, it left him without a bowel routine for days.
Now, the 72-year-old says he was told by Island Health that the technique can only be performed by male workers — yet he continues to be assigned workers who are female.
Island Health says there isn’t a “formal policy” prohibiting female workers from performing digital stimulations and that care plans differ by patient.
WATCH | Saanich senior says changes to home care put him at risk:
Quadriplegic senior says inconsistent home care putting health at risk
In a letter addressed to the Health Ministry and Island Health, Murray’s son, Mike Hindley, described how he learned of the policy.
In the letter, Mike wrote that a scheduled worker refused to perform digital stimulations for Murray one morning in June, citing Island Health policy. Mike wrote that Murray contacted Island Health afterward to verify, and was “advised that this has been a longstanding policy and, in fact, has ‘always’ been the policy.”
Speaking to CBC News, the Hindleys say the policy was news to them, and that until then, there hadn’t been any issues with the procedure being performed by workers of either gender.
“It’s been consistent for 26 years and now all of a sudden they’re not allowed to do this,” said Joan, Murray’s wife.
“Murray hasn’t been involved at all in understanding what it is they’re doing and why, and nothing’s been explained.”
Joan said their home-support manager had sent them an email saying female workers were “uncomfortable” with performing digital stimulations, and that it would be assigned to male workers moving forward.
CBC News reviewed an e-mail from a home-support manager with Island Health addressed to Murray.
“Upon review of the care being provided we have recognized the discomfort this specific task causes for CHWs (unregistered care providers) of the opposite gender,” it reads. “Digital stimulation will be offered by CHWs of the same gender.”
Murray Hindley is pictured in May 2026 with his wife, Joan, and son, Mike. The family is seeking answers on changes to Murray’s care, which they say is putting his health at risk. (Mike McArthur/CBC)
In an email to CBC News, Island Health said it couldn’t comment on specific clients due to patient privacy, but it is aware of the Hindleys’ concerns. It said its Patient Care Quality Office (PCQO) is “following up to understand and respond to their questions.”
The health authority said there isn’t a “formal policy” on whether male or female workers can perform digital stimulations. It said care plans differ by patient, and take into account client needs, clinical guidelines, best practices and “the health and safety of Island Health staff.”
It also said it is “required to uphold the health and safety of our staff and care teams by ensuring a work environment free from exposure to psychological or physical risks,” which could “impact care planning for specific clients.”
The Hindleys said Island Health has not notified them of any concerns from workers.
They also question why, if that were the policy, Murray continues to be assigned female workers.
Mike said Murray’s current schedule has three male workers in 11 days, leaving his father without a bowel movement for eight days.
Increased workloads, reduced overtime
Scott de Long, vice president of community health with the B.C. General Employees’ Union, told CBC News that he isn’t aware of any policy restricting the delivery of bowel care procedures to male workers, nor has he heard concerns from workers about performing those procedures.
He said in general, CHWs are stretched thin and their workloads have “dramatically increased” in recent years.
“The budgets are tight. Overtime has been reduced. Replacement for people that are sick is limited,” he said.
De Long added that Island Health “reacts quickly” and is “very protective” of both workers and patients when it hears of a complaint, although such cases are fairly isolated in his experience.
De Long said he doesn’t think the government understands the “depth” of the challenges that the workers face, but that it shares the same goals.
“The health authority, the unions, the government — we’re all on the same page in that we want to be able to provide the best possible care that we can.”
‘Just decent help’
CBC News reached out to the Health Ministry regarding the restriction of the procedure to male workers, and asked how the government is addressing the needs of quadriplegic seniors. It said it has no comment on the issue and deferred to Island Health.
In addition to saying no formal policy exists on the delivery of digital stimulations, Island Health reiterated that some home-support tasks require specially trained workers, which can affect the timing of delivery, for which they apologize.
The health authority added that it has “recently trained” seven new community health workers to perform digital stimulations.
Murray Hindley is pictured in May 2026 with wife Joan and son Mike. The Hindleys question why Murray continues to get assigned home-support workers unable to facilitate a procedure essential to his bowel care. (Mike McArthur/CBC)
The Hindleys say they’ve filed a complaint with the PCQO and the B.C. Ombudsperson.
“We’re not only trying to advocate for ourselves, but for others that are being treated the same way,” Joan said.
Mike said his dad has been experiencing “a lot of anxiety and depression, from loss of dignity.”
Murray said he hasn’t been feeling well, and the situation has been upsetting.
“It’s gotten worse,” he said.
“I would like to see some consistent care … just decent help, just the way it used to be.”