The Sun Country Health Region is waiting for the Ministry of Health to provide it with a list of potential independent investigators, one of whom might be able to lead an investigation into possible neglect and/or abuse at the Estevan Regional Nursing Home.
Interim CEO Marga Cugnet said the request went in a few weeks ago, but since then, there had been a shuffling of cabinet ministers, including the health portfolio and probably an accompanying shuffle of senior administrators in each ministry that may have stalled the process.
Cugnet told The Mercury on June 27 that having the Estevan Police Service launch a parallel investigation into the matter probably won't change the nature of their own investigation.
"We will share information with them, but of course that would have to involve a release from the family that would enable all of us to share it," said Cugnet, referring to the family of Mary Mack, a senior who is residing at ERNH, who have alleged that their mother and perhaps others, have suffered at the hands of neglectful and/or abusive staff member(s).
The family provided testimonial and photographic evidence of possible abuse to The Mercury prior to this publication releasing a story in early June outlining the accusations.
Maggie Dupuis, a spokeswoman for the family later told The Mercury they wanted an open, more public forum when the investigation began.
When that information was revealed to Cugnet, she replied that it would be difficult to arrange that type of process since there are many issues of privacy and confidentiality that are engrained in legislation and regulations to protect all parties when it comes to care of patients and clients, but until a proper dialogue has been established with the family, those details can't be discussed at this early stage.
Cugnet had said earlier that Sun Country had contacted Dupuis and her family in an attempt to establish some dates for gathering information but had not heard back from them.
In the meantime, the family took information similar to that provided to The Mercury, to the Estevan Police Servie (EPS).
EPS Chief Del Block said a complaint had been registered, a file had been opened and any potential investigation would be led by a senior sergeant at this stage in their process.
