Inspection at Toronto LTC home underway after woman feels need to call ambulance for sick father
Long term care inspectors visited a North York home today after a woman called an ambulance for her sick father who was not being treated for a severe urinary tract infection.
Jacy Ruuhala told CTV Toronto Wednesday that her 78-year-old father’s condition was getting worse by the day and staff did not treat him with antibiotics. When she called Ontario’s Long Term Care Home Action Line, Ruuhala was told they were understaffed and were inundated with complaints and they would not be able to get an inspector out to the home for three days.
“I described the story and they had a process of triaging and they said we are just very busy and we can maybe get there by Wednesday and I said i don’t think we have until Wednesday with my dad and I don’t want to take that risk.”
She called an ambulance and her father is now being treated at Humber River Hospital.
On hearing the complaint through CTV News Toronto, Rod Phillips, Ontario Minister for Long Term Care, said the care was unacceptable.
“She did exactly what I would have done, it is completely unacceptable, first at the home level, seven days this is not the standard we expect and then the hot line this is not a situation where anybody should be delayed”
The Ministry ordered an inspection of the facility. Hawthorne Place is the same facility that the army took over in the summer of 2020 when COVID-19 was taking a heavy toll on long-term care facilities across the province. More than 500 residents died at this facility. A military report found there was human waste and vomit on the floors and walls, along with fungus, mould and cockroaches in the building.
Long-term care advocate Vivian Stamatopoulos says the government is still not taking it seriously.
“…there has been investigation after investigation. I remind everyone this is one of the military report homes, one of the same homes that Military personnel said should be shut down and the owners charged.”
Ruuhala says her father is still having a difficult time even in hospital now.
“He’s not doing so well, he is having a very slow recovery," she told CTV News Toronto.
After touring a new long-term care facility still under construction just next door to Hawthorne Place, Philips said his government is committed to fixing long term care in Ontario.
“We expect the highest quality care, the highest standard of care. Ontario is investing in a plan to fix long term care. We are adding 27,000 staff and that is important, doubling the number of inspectors”.
Ruuhala can only hope there is positive change.
“Proof is in the pudding. So what is going to happen five months from now or even sooner. Like this is an immediate problem that is continuously happening. And not only that home, but other homes and you know, it is tough.”
Stamatopoulos says the bad apples need to face serious charges.
“We are still hearing the same neglect and negligence and preventable injury which leads to preventable death happening every day and nothing is being done to hold these homes to account
Nearly 4,000 long-term care residents died in Ontario because of COVID-19.
Calls for comment to Hawthorne Place went unanswered.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.