Premier calls allegations ‘upsetting’
Wynne’s remarks on alleged nursing home neglect come amid creation of resident advocacy coalition
Premier Kathleen Wynne on Thursday called allegations contained in potential class-action lawsuits in Ontario against two nursing-home giants “extremely disturbing” and “very upsetting.”
The allegations against Extendicare and Leisureworld Senior Care (now Sienna Senior Living) are detailed in statements of claim for two proposed classaction lawsuits. They allege the nursing home companies were negligent and failed to provide proper care for elderly residents — one of whom, the statements of claim say, had a maggot-infested leg wound and another who had bed sores down to the bone.
“I just have to say that, to the extent that any of these allegations are true, it’s extremely disturbing,” the premier told reporters. “They should not happen.”
In an emailed statement to the Star, a Sienna Senior Living spokesperson said Wednesday the company had just received the claim and “are currently reviewing it.”
“The health and well-being of all residents is our primary focus, and we take pride in the quality of care our team members provide,” said Brian Richardson, Sienna’s chief marketing officer. “Our mission is to help residents live fully, every day.”
Extendicare spokesperson Rebecca Rawn said in an emailed statement Wednesday the company cares “deeply about the residents, clients and families that we serve, and our staff work hard to provide them with comfort, care, and compassion.”
Rawn said Extendicare does not believe the lawsuit has merit and intends to demonstrate that through the court process. Family members detailed their claims against the nursing homes at a Queen’s Park press conference Thursday morning.
Jeffrey Novo spoke about his father, Jose Novo, who was a resident at Tullamore Nursing Home in Brampton, run by Leisureworld Senior Care (now Sienna Senior Living), from June 2014 until his death at age 65, in May 2016. The statement of claim against Leisureworld says Jose Novo was hospitalized for “in- fected decubitis ulcers (bed sores)” in October 2015. In November, his bed sores continued to worsen, “with bone being visible” on some.
On Thursday, Jeffrey Novo said the bedsores on his father’s body were “just disgusting.”
“It’s not right,” he said. “They should never (have gotten) that bad.”
PREMIER KATHLEEN WYNNE
Speaking to reporters at a separate event, Wynne said the number of inspections and personnel has increased in longterm-care homes. (Laura Gallant, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Longterm Care, said an enhanced inspection strategy was rolled out in fall 2016, and 100 inspectors were added around late 2013.)
“I think there are very reasonable questions about how such a thing could happen, given that those inspections are in place and … we need to be honest about asking those questions,” Wynne said.
“But I will say that it is very, very disturbing to read of (this) situation.”
Health Minister Helena Jaczek said she could not comment on the lawsuits because they are before the courts but told reporters the Liberal government — which is up for re-election June 7 — has increased funding for nursing homes since taking power in 2003.
“We have a system of inspection in this province that, I think, is showing good results. Orders are being served on homes that are not compliant, even with minor offences,” Jaczek, a medical doctor, said after the Legislature’s daily question period.
In response to the lawsuits, New Democrat MPP France Gelinas, her party’s health critic, said the government is falling short in protecting residents of nursing homes.
“I don’t want to paint every nursing home with the same brush but in a lot of homes … the care is not up to standard,” said Gelinas, a physiotherapist.
The plaintiff’s lawyers also announced a Nursing Homes Action Coalition at the press conference. “We want to help people across Canada that are in these homes,” said Amani Oakley, senior partner at Oakley and Oakley.
“We believe we will set standards. We believe that through the actions of the courts, we’re going to get some justice for some of these victims.”
The newly formed coalition, made up of three law firms, will handle the two proposed class action lawsuits and a third, from 2016, against nursinghome chain Revera. None of the legal actions have been certified.
In a statement to the Star Wednesday, Larry Roberts, senior manager of corporate affairs for Revera, said the legal action against Revera is before the courts, and “out of respect for the system and for all parties involved, we cannot speak to the specifics of the lawsuit.”
“We do not believe there is merit in the class action lawsuit and we are prepared to go through the court process.”
“I just have to say that, to the extent that any of these allegations are true, it’s extremely disturbing.”
With files from Robert Benzie and Kristin Rushowy.