Readers applaud Glover for asking questions about Brucelea Haven

To the Editor:
RE: “Kincardine councillor demands to know what's happening at Brucelea Haven”

I applaud Kincardine councillor Gerry Glover for asking the questions that need to be asked to ensure the comfort and safety of Brucelea Haven residents. I also appreciate that he is trying to have some light shed on the dismissal of senior administration staff at Bruce County.

Certainly all taxpayers deserve to know the reasons behind such an appalling situation.

I hope our representative on Bruce County council will see fit to keep Kincardine council, and her constituents, informed in the future.

Jennifer MacKenzie
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:

I am also very interested to hear what has been happening at Brucelea Haven.

My father lived there for seven years prior to his passing last September. I also work at a long-term care facility. 

Since my father could not speak, I relied on the staff for information about his condition. Did anything happen to him that I am not aware of?

Thank you,
Lori Mortimer
Lucknow
 

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To the Editor:

Liz, I read your story and was able to go on-line and watch Kincardine council. I am disappointed to say the least.

I clicked on the link in your article and read about the inspection issues. It seems there are a few challenges happening. This has been going on for a long time – why has it taken the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to step in and supervise the home for the county? How long has county council not been following up on the outstanding and serious concerns?

Our LOVED ones are living at Brucelea Haven and this is the first that we are really learning to the extent there are these concerns. I have reservations about the members of Bruce County council.

Kincardine councillor Gerry Glover used the word ‘unconscionable’ – I feel that is an understatement. From watching Rogers TV, the only words that Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie could say were ‘confidential,’ and ‘lots of regulations.’ As Mr. Glover said, this is in his wheelhouse (he is CEO of the health team/medical centre) when she tried to hide behind ‘regulations’ and continually skirted the issue.

Eadie seemed more concerned about ‘protecting the corporation’ than discussing solutions and providing reassurance. I am ever so happy that there are these fresh councillors onboard not accepting the schoolhouse/bulldozer tendencies from the mayor – she can’t bully this council into quiet submission. This council seems enthusiastic, working well together and educated about the issues and making good advocates for our residents (and hold their own).

It is a shame there has not been more people publicly speaking out about this but rather are more interested in sweeping the issues under the mat. I have E-mailed Mr. Glover to express my support to maintain the pressure until change starts! I would E-mail the mayor but she may not reply due to ‘regulations' or 'confidentiality.’

Of all the times I’ve watched Kincardine council, I have lost count of the number of times Eadie refers to herself as ‘the mayor’ or ‘county councillor’ - you would think after that public reassurance of her position that she would be taking a leadership role and working with her council to make change happen at Brucelea Haven.

Thank you, Liz, for publishing this story and exposing the problems.
Marta McBride
Fergus
Seasonal resident of Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:

Finally, it is so nice to see somebody who fights for the people and listens to the people.

I agreed with him (Glover) 100 per cent when he mentioned the shape of the town, which was shot down by our mayor. They don't want to hear what the people are saying and seeing.

Yes, it would be nice to be kept informed about Brucelea Haven.

Thanks, Mr. Glover, you have my vote for as long as you are running, in any position on council.

Jim Bradley
Kincardine
 

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To the Editor:
Accountability for Brucelea Haven in Walkerton

Brucelea Haven is owned and OPERATED by the County of Bruce. The recent report by the Ontario Ministry Of Health and Long-Term Care places responsibility for the many breaches of operations squarely on the LICENCEE AND OPERATOR, The County of Bruce.

Obviously, the operator has fallen down in its responsibility for good GOVERNANCE. Council members report that they have stepped up to the plate but it appears to be long after the “horse has left the barn.”

Every organization that has responsibility for the health care of our citizens in Bruce County, has a carefully-selected board with the skills to oversee the operation of the health care unit. These boards are actively in tune with the operational management of the care unit and are expected to deal with and resolve early indicators of any instance of quality of care for their patients.

The Ontario Health Team, which will in future replace the LHIN (Local Health Integration Network), has invested heavily in the education of the collaboration partners of the Ontario Health Team in good governance for Bruce and Grey counties.

BUT NOT THE COUNTY. There is no board of governance for Brucelea Haven. There might be a department within the bowels of the county which does oversight but obviously does not work. County council members appear to wait for the annual inspection by the LONG-TERMS HOME INSPECTION BRANCH, to tell them where they are falling down on the job.

It is time for the County of Bruce to install governance. It might be a board or committee, to oversee its OPERATOR responsibilities. That board would consist of members pre-qualified as set out in “Schedule G, Board Competency,” in the Guidelines for the Retirement Homes Regulating Authority, for its own governance. The county board or committee should include several employees of Brucelea Haven.

Brucelea Haven has excellent employees who live by the credo,”Our nursing home is operated so that it is a place where residents live with dignity, respect, privacy, and autonomy in security, safety and comfort, and can make informed choices about their options.”

Let’s give our residents and team members, the staffing and operational support to maintain their goal. That means GOOD GOVERNANCE by the licencee and operator, the County Bruce.

Robert Heisz
Mildmay