Families protest against Woodbridge Vista Care home as province takes control

Families demand respect for loved ones inside the COVID-embattled residence

Yorkregion.com
June 5, 2020
Kim Zarzour

Angry families marched outside a Woodbridge long-term care home June 4 demanding respect for loved ones living inside the COVID-embattled residence.

The demonstrators gathered just as the province announced it was taking over management of Woodbridge Vista Care Community in an attempt to stop the rampant spread of COVID-19 .

Woodbridge Vista Care Community, operated by Sienna Living, reached a crisis point this past weekend when 18 patients were rushed to hospital and York Region Public Health issued orders to try to contain the situation.

There were, at the time, 113 cases of the coronavirus and 17 resident deaths at the home.

Today, that number stands at 142 cases and 21 deaths.

Sienna faced criticism from angry family members in an open virtual town hall meeting Sunday evening and, this afternoon, families marched outside the property to demand action.

"PSWs and nurses are treated horribly here... It's hot as hell inside the home. People are dying of not just Covid," said Rosanna Manieri-Circo, whose father has lived in the home for eight years. "This is inhumane what's going on and it needs to be fixed."

This afternoon, the Ministry of Long-Term Care announced it has appointed William Osler Health System as interim manager of the Vaughan home, located at Steeles Avenue and Martin Grove Road.

The decision comes four days after SEIU Healthcare union made an open call for the province to take immediate control, saying "staffing levels are dangerously low and temporary/agency workers are not able to fill the gap. As a result, staff have lost confidence in management's ability to oversee the crisis."

“Despite receiving hospital support, Woodbridge Vista Care Community has been unable to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the ministry statement said. “These steps will enable a rigorous management structure to help contain the spread of the disease and assist in returning their home to normal operations.”

Earlier today, Sienna released a statement describing “sweeping initiatives” that were being launched to protect its residents.

Sienna is the owner of 27 retirement residences in Ontario and 19 long-term care and retirement residences in British Columbia, including Altamont Care Community in Scarborough and Camilla Care Community in Mississauga.

These homes were also temporarily taken over by the Ontario government in the wake of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Altamont was one of five Canadian facilities cited in a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) report detailing extreme neglect.

“While disturbing, the CAF report was written during the peak of a crisis situation. It does not reflect the current reality at our Altamont Care Community or other Sienna residences,” Sienna’s media release said. “It is no secret that the challenges long-term care residences have been facing in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic have been extraordinary and have brought to light the many shortcomings that exist in our sector.”

Sienna has promised an immediate companywide review of “policies, practices and culture,” led by Paul Boniferro, former deputy attorney general of Ontario; a search for a senior health and long-term care expert to act as adviser to management and board of directors; front-line education focused on PPE and sensitivity training for staff.

Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, said he fully supports the government's decision.

“The people of Vaughan-Woodbridge deserve nothing less than action and answers. I assure you that our government will deliver them."

The Ford government recently announced the launch of an independent, non-partisan commission into Ontario's long-term care system, beginning in July.