The provincial agency that governs retirement homes in Ontario has found an Oshawa-area facility failed to protect its residents from neglect and abuse by removing the door handles on rooms of COVID-19 positive residents as well as providing false or misleading information to inspectors.
Posted Apr 01, 2021, 05:25AM EDT
The provincial agency that governs retirement homes in Ontario has found an Oshawa-area facility failed to protect its residents from neglect and abuse by removing the door handles on rooms of COVID-19 positive residents as well as providing false or misleading information to inspectors.
A report issued by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) says White Cliffe Terrace Retirement Residence in Courtice “removed door handles to confine residents whose plans of care did not include any safety measures.”
They also found that resident charts with regards to plans of care had not been updated within the last six months.
As CityNews first reported back in February, an anonymous whistleblower came forward with information that a manager at the home ordered maintenance staff to remove door handles on some fourth-floor assisted living suites in a bid to prevent COVID-19 positive residents from freely moving around the facility.
The whistleblower alleges the handles were off the doors for several days until a head office employee discovered it and complained. He claimed they were told by management not to speak about the incident.
Staff at the home have said they received “threats” after the allegations became public.
The RHRA says it is determining next steps in the case which may include enforcement action such as “Administrative Monetary Penalties, Orders and conditions.”
“As with any licensees found in non-compliance, the RHRA will monitor this home moving forward as part of its compliance monitoring process, which will include unannounced inspections,” the RHRA said in a statement. “If ever we become aware of immediate risk of harm to residents, we will not hesitate to use the powers afforded to us under the Retirement Homes Act and will work with community partners to ensure residents are safe.”
Among the corrective measures being taken by the home are a comprehensive re-education of all staff on zero tolerance when it comes to abuse and neglect of residents, the No Restraint Policy and confinement, fire safety and the whistleblowing policy. As well, management will undergo re-education on appropriate measures to take during a COVID-19 outbreak.
Durham Regional Police are continuing the investigate the incident. No charges have been laid at this time.
Diversicare Canada, the company that manages White Cliffe, has also hired an independent firm to investigate the events and team member(s) involvement in the removal of the door handles.
