Kincardine councillor demands to know what's happening at Brucelea Haven

Kincardine councillor Gerry Glover has some major concerns about Kincardine residents living at Brucelea Haven in Walkerton.

In committee-of-the-whole last night (Sept. 9), he told council that he is tired of getting information from news reports instead of from the mayor who is Kincardine's representative on Bruce County council which operates the 144-bed nursing home.

Friday, CTV News reported that effective Sept. 5, four county senior administrators have been suspended, including the chief administrative officer (CAO), the director of human resources, the director of health services, and Brucelea Haven's administrator.

A report by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, released July 24, found that a lack of adequate staffing resulted in residents not receiving baths, mouth care, toileting assistance, timely medications or assistance with feeding. The ministry issued a compliance order that included 31 written notifications with two director's orders and 18 non-compliance orders. To read the ministry report, click here.

The ministry has given Brucelea Haven until February, 2020, to be fully compliant with all its orders.

Monday night, Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie explained that the current issue at Brucelea Haven is a personnel matter and must be kept confidential.

“Further communication will come at the appropriate time,” she said.

In answering councillor Bill Stewart's question about the county structure, she said there are various directors (transportation, health care, human resources, human services, corporate services, library, and museum) who report to the CAO who then reports to council. The nursing home administrator reports to the health care director.

“Brucelea Haven is heavily regulated under the ministry of health and long-term care,” said Eadie.

“Is there a board of directors that operates it?” asked Stewart.

“No, it's a totally different kettle of fish,” said Eadie. “The licensee is the County of Bruce.”

Glover asked how the county plans to comply with the orders laid out by the ministry in its report.

“The county has hired external experts to analyze the issues and come up with a plan,” said Eadie.

Glover countered that he would expect a report on what is being done by the county to fix the problem.

“This is a taxpayer-funded facility and there are Kincardine residents who live there,” he said. “It's not just county business, it's our business as well.”

“County council is a separate corporation,” said Eadie.

“County council is an upper-tier government that has to answer to these non-compliance issues,” argued Glover. “These are safety concerns. This is taxpayers' money and taxpayers living there. How is county council going to address these issues?”

“We are waiting for the external report,” said Eadie. “It's highly confidential. There's a lot to learn about the regulations.”

“Safety is an important issue,” retorted Glover. “The county is failing the long-term care home and its residents. For two years, it has done nothing. It's unconscionable.”