Licence review on the table for care home where residents allegedly abused

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This article was published 24/08/2022 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg personal-care home at the centre of multiple abuse allegations could face an operating licence review, Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon said Thursday.

In June, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said police were investigating after two health-care aides at Oakview Place Personal Care Home had allegedly abused multiple residents.

A whistleblower alerted local management with Extendicare — the facility’s operator — of the abuse in February. However, the health authority was not informed of the allegations, in contravention of Extendicare’s responsibilities, until approached directly by another whistle-blower on June 10.

The WRHA has not specified the type of abuse residents were allegedly subjected to.

Despite calls from residents’ family members and opposition politicians for a licence review since the accusations were made public, the provincial government has not done so.

Licence reviews are conducted annually, or as required, if there are serious issues or concerns, according to the province. Results and actions taken by personal-care homes are used to make licensing decisions.

Asked why the Progressive Conservative government has not initiated a review, Gordon said “that’s a leading question that is not entirely accurate.”

“Our government is looking at all the measures that can be made available to myself to look at the licence at that particular facility, so that is under consideration at this time.”

She would not commit to ordering a review.

“That is on the table at this time, on my desk,” she said.

In a letter to Opposition Leader Wab Kinew dated July 21 and shared with the Free Press by the NDP, Gordon said a decision with respect to a licensing standards review will be made when more information is available from the Protection for Persons in Care Office.

According to the letter, the PPCO met with the whistleblower on June 14 and determined there are 16 allegations of abuse involving 13 victims. However, the investigation has been put on hold until Winnipeg Police conclude the criminal investigation and permit the office to carry on with its inquiry.

An unannounced standards review was conducted by Manitoba Health on March 17, prior to allegations becoming known by government officials, and did not reveal any “serious deficiencies,” the letter stated.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca