Island Health is extending the temporary appointment of an administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of Nanaimo Seniors Village.
On May 20, Island Health’s Board of Directors extended the temporary appointment to at least July 31, 2020 after reviewing the recommendation from Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Hasselback.
“I strongly support the decision by the Vancouver Island Health Board of Directors to extend the appointment of the administrator,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The health and safety of residents in long-term care facilities is our foremost priority. We will continue to put the care and safety of seniors first before any other consideration.”
“The administrator, her team and the operator should be commended for the progress identified to date at Nanaimo Seniors Village,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair. “The additional period of oversight will support the creation and implementation of a transition plan and ensure the improvements made to date are sustainable over the long-term.”
Dr. Hasselback’s recommendation to extend the appointment was based on detailed reports from site administrator Susan Abermann and Island Health’s Community Care Facilities Licensing program. Both Ms. Abermann and Licensing recommended an extension of the appointment.
Dr. Hasselback found there was significant progress towards meeting legislated standards of care at Nanaimo Seniors Village and improvements were noted in key areas such as staffing levels, care planning and wound care.
Dr. Hasselback stated an additional period of oversight was required to ensure the recent successes can be maintained and allow time to create an appropriate plan to transition administration of the site back to the operator.
Ms. Abermann will remain as the site’s administrator and will continue to report to the Island Health Board of Directors. She will continue to provide comprehensive leadership of the daily operation and management of the facility.
Ms. Abermann was initially appointed as administrator at Nanaimo Seniors Village on November 27, 2019 for a period of at least six months, ending May 27, 2020. The appointment by the Board of Directors was based on a recommendation from Dr. Hasselback and followed investigation and reporting by the Licensing program.
Island Health’s Board will once again review the situation and consider the administrator’s appointment at Nanaimo Seniors Village prior to July 31.
Nanaimo Seniors Village is a privately owned 150-bed long-term care facility operated by Pacific Reach Seniors Housing Management operating as West Coast Seniors Housing Management, which is part of the Retirement Concepts group of companies. Island Health publicly funds 134 of the beds.
Please see this backgrounder summarizing the Medical Health Officer’s recommendation to the Board.
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