Admissions still on hold at Collingwood's Sunset Manor more than one year later
When hospitals across the province are trying to free up space and find accommodations for seniors at long-term care homes, Sunset Manor in Collingwood hasn't been able to accept new residents for more than a year.
The county-run long-term care home has been closed to new residents for 15 months after the home, and its operators violated eight ministry orders for non-compliance.
"(We get) 75 to 100 calls every week from people in the community inquiring if they could admit their loved ones. Unfortunately, at this time, we're unable to," said Jane Sinclair, general manager of Simcoe County's health and emergency services.
"Obtaining, qualified, retaining attracting staff has been a significant issue for all of us in long-term care."
At this point, the county says it is still determining what more it can do to have the ban removed.
"We think this has gone on long enough, and it's time to reopen the beds. We've made significant progress over the last year and a half. There were eight compliance orders. We're down to two. We've added staff, we have changed our procedures, we've upgraded resources," said George Cornell, Simcoe County Warden.
Sunset Manor has 102 residents and room for another 48, but the Ministry of Long-Term Care says those beds will remain unused until the orders are lifted.
The two remaining violations include failure to meet provincial skin and wound care and medication management requirements.
The county has been fined $11,000 along with legal fees for an appeal rejected by a judge last week.
Since 2020, the home has seen its waitlist nearly double to 373.
"They need to get the beds opened up, and I think this is a far better nursing home than many others, and I looked at a lot. I waited three years to get a bed here for my brother," said Susan Barry, a sister of one of the residents.
Collingwood's Mayor Keith Hull says he's frustrated and is calling on the area's five MPPs for help.
"To speak directly to the premier, to advocate that this facility reopen and the 48 beds are made available to the residents and, again by extension, to their families," said Hull.
In a statement, press secretary for the Ministry of Long-Term Care Jake Roseman says, "While the home has made progress addressing the issues that prompted the initial cease of admissions order, the current orders at Sunset Manor will remain in place until the ministry is satisfied the home has met compliance and demonstrates the ability to continue to do so going forward. The period of time required for a home to return to compliance varies and is dependent on a number of factors."
Sinclair says Sunset Manor is doing everything possible to comply with the ministry's orders fully. She says they're hoping to welcome new residents into the building by the end of the year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.