Change slow after alleged assault at Regina care home

Changes will be made at a Regina care home where a staff member allegedly assaulted a resident, but it will take some time to determine what those changes should be.

The Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home has been in the spotlight since November 2014 when the NDP shared the story of Margaret Warholm in question period. The 74-year-old woman had lived in Santa Maria before being taken to hospital shortly before her death in October 2013, and was found to have severe bed sores and was malnourished.

Then on Dec. 13, the care home announced that some employees had been suspended after allegations of neglect and assault had been made. On Wednesday, Regina police laid a charge in the case. Tessie Weigetz, 56, is facing one count of assault.

“We’re pleased that the investigation is proceeding smoothly,” said John Kelly, executive director of the care home, on Friday. 

While Kelly said the care home was working with the provincial ombudsman in her investigation into Santa Maria, he couldn’t speak of any changes already implemented since the allegations were made.

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“We have been working with the ombudsman and we’ll move forward.”

Despite Kelly’s comments of change being a work in progress, the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region said Santa Maria has been continuing to work on improvement activities.

“I do know that the facility has engaged a care consultant to do an independent review of procedures and practices within the procedure,” explained GrettaLynn Ell, executive director for continuing care and utilization for the health region. “In addition to that there is a quality oversight committee.”

The quality oversight committee, Ell explained, is a continuous board comprised of people from the facility, health region, and Ministry of Health who review computerized assessments of care being received by patients. Ell admitted that the indicators reviewed the committee wouldn’t be able to show if a staff member was abusing a resident, however the indicators would still provide a look at the quality of care being provided. She added that increased vigilance and monitoring will be likely be needed going forward.

CMarkewich@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @cjmarkewich