Admissions remain suspended at Rainycrest Home for the Aged here, but the facility continues to make progress in meeting provincial government standards and hopes to have the suspension lifted in the near future.
“Ministry [of Health and Long-term Care] supervisors are in the facility on a weekly basis,” Rainycrest administrator Jill Colquhoun said.
“With many new initiatives underway, the facility is hoping to have a favourable decision on the re-opening of admissions within the near future,” she added.
Rainycrest’s board of management, administration, and staff are working together to address the resident care and safety issues, she noted.
While Colquhoun would not elaborate on the specific nature of the care issues, she said she became aware of the non-compliance with provincial standards shortly after she was hired in January.
She did note “positive changes are happening and are being noted by the ministry officials.”
Some of the changes include a number of educational and training opportunities for staff, and the hiring of additional front-line staff to meet resident care needs.
A new Environmental Services Supervisor was hired in July, for instance, while a Nutrition and Food Service Supervisor began her duties in late August.
Colquhoun noted staff are active on new committees and are learning new skills, “the expectation being that all are committed to addressing resident care needs,” she said.
“The facility will become resident-focused in all aspects,” she stressed.
A new Family and Friends Advisory Council was established in August to act in an advocacy role and to assist in bringing concerns forward to the staff, Colquhoun said.
The group meets on the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. and new members are welcome.
Rainycrest has a total bed capacity of 135, and currently there are four vacancies.
The Community Care Access Centre for Kenora and Rainy River districts said there are 52 names on the waiting list for admission to Rainycrest, including 26 people in La Verendrye hospital here.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
