The Vancouver Island Health Authority is monitoring a seniors care home in Sidney after the owner twice laid off its nursing staff inside four weeks.
VIHA’s licensing arm will interview staff at the Sidney Care Home, look at documentation on whether staff are being oriented properly to ensure quality and continuity of care, and examine records required for all employees providing care, said Sarah Plank, the health authority’s spokeswoman.
As many as 14 full-time registered nurses and casuals, organized under the B.C. Nurses Union, were laid off from Sidney Care Home on May 14, according to the BCNU.
A new group of registered nurses was hired on contract and laid off June 5. At least two have retained their jobs, according to the nurses. Bayshore Home Health, which provides temporary supplemental staffing, is providing three nurses.
The privately owned and publicly funded seniors long-term care home looks after 54 elderly residents, many with dementia.
Owner Maureen McIntosh bought MJT Management, which runs Sidney Care Home, from former owner Murray Olsen in early May. McIntosh could not be reached for comment.
The laid-off nurses say they were looking forward to positive management changes and renovations under the new owner and didn’t expect layoffs.
“We are concerned for our members and the welfare of the residents — that’s their home,” said Adriane Gear, B.C. Nurses Union chairwoman for the south Island region. “They fired all the regular staff.”
Registered nurse Rhonda MacIntyre, 56, said just hours before her night shift on May 14 the phone rang. “They phoned me to tell me the job I had for 14 years was gone. I’m still kind of in shock,” she said.
“For the residents there, staff is like family and they need as much consistency in their life as possible.”
McIntosh is also administrator of Qualicum Manor on Vancouver Island. Her track record with seniors homes here and on the Lower Mainland, where she owns Braddan Hospital, “was one of the things we looked at when we agreed to the transition to the new owner,” said Norm Peters, VIHA’s director of continuing health services.
That track record, however, includes a Labour Relations Board ruling in June 2003 that said Point Grey Private Hospital facilities operator and part owner Maureen McIntosh violated the labour code, in part by suggesting to employees they decertify.
VIHA’s licensing arm is investigating continuity of care issues after receiving an anonymous complaint last week.
While the investigation is not complete, VIHA said it has no immediate concerns and is satisfied staffing levels at Sidney Care Home meet requirements. While the nurses have changed, the care aides and licensed practical nurses remain the same, VIHA said.
Peters, who deals with contracted home-care providers for the health authority, said he is conducting site visits to monitor the transition.
Meanwhile, the care aides and licensed practical nurses, contracted through Safe Haven Nursing Services, have voted in favour of organizing under the Hospital Employees’ Union.
