It may not be an easy process, but it's necessary.
The Sunrise Health Region (SHR) has announced repairs required at Invermay Health Center will necessitate temporary suspension of visiting health services and temporary relocation of the long-term care residents to health facilities in neighbouring communities.
The decisions were made following the recent discovery of some structural damage and presence of mould.
"Experts from the Ministries of Health, as well as Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, advise that there are no immediate health concerns stemming from the mould discovered in the facility," says Sunrise Health Region CEO Suann Laurent.
"We do want to address the problem quickly.
"The required remediation work will cause significant noise and disruption and cannot be safely carried out with residents and staff in the building. Options for temporary relocation are being discussed individually with the long-term care residents and their families."
The relocation of long-term care residents and staff is temporary, with the move back to Invermay anticipated as soon as the remediation work is complete and the facility is deemed safe. Work is expected to begin as soon as the last resident and staff are out of the building.
During the afternoon of Thursday, January 17, 2013, staff at Invermay Health Centre noticed that the floor was sloping in the west corner of the west wing.
Bracing was put into place, the long-term care residents were moved from the west wing to another part of the building, and the wing was sealed off. Experts in air quality testing and structural engineering were called. Tests indicated presence of mould. Equipment was installed to improve the air quality until the source of the problem is identified and corrected. Visiting services which also use the building will be temporarily suspended, effective immediately.
These include scheduled visits from physiotherapy, mental health and dietitian services, and the weekly physician clinic, laboratory collections and outpatient treatments. People in the community are being asked to make alternate arrangements with their pharmacy and family physician. Alternate arrangements will ensure that the "meals on wheels" program continues.
"The needs of our long-term care residents and their families will continue to drive our planning through this difficult time," Laurent says. "The health, safety and comfort of our long-term care residents are our priority."
The long-term care residents, family members and staff were personally contacted and then met as a group on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Invermay Health Centre. The Chairperson of Sunrise Health Region, CEO and senior leadership team, the medical health officer, the area public health inspector, SUN and CUPE union representatives and a representative from the Village of Invermay were in attendance.
The health region and unions are coordinating continued employment of Invermay Health Centre staff in alternate locations during the temporary situation. "The cooperation from our long-term care residents, families, the entire Sunrise team, the unions, neighbouring health regions, the Ministry of Health, and the Village of Invermay has been overwhelming," adds Laurent.
"I want to thank everyone in Invermay and area for their understanding. This is an unfortunate situation that will take everyone's collaboration to resolve."
Relocation of the twenty-five long-term care residents and fifty-five staff will be carefully coordinated in stages, starting early this week.
