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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.