OMBUDSMAN TO REVIEW DIFFICULTIES WITH MOVE OF SENIORS FROM ST. MARY'S VILLA, HUMBOLDT

The Saskatchewan Ombudsman has been asked to review the relocation of tenants at St. Mary's Villa in Humboldt. The request was made jointly by Health Minister Don McMorris and Saskatoon Regional Health Authority Chair Jim Rhode.

"Concerns have been raised by a number of the seniors involved in the move, their families and members of the community," McMorris said. "As a result, we have determined that a full independent review is required."

"Saskatoon Health Region strives to always put patients first," Rhode said. "We are committed to ongoing improvement, so we look forward to working with the Ombudsman to assist us in identifying any necessary changes to how we manage situations like this."

On February 16, the health region announced that, due to safety concerns, 32 special care residents would be relocated within St. Mary's Villa. The move was prompted by preliminary findings in February of an engineer's report that cited structural problems in the flooring of the Villa's Dust Wing, which was built in 1977.

In order to accommodate the relocation, the health region began arranging to find alternate accommodations for 10 enriched housing tenants of the facility. These tenants and their families complained about the extreme short notice and the handling of the move. Health Region CEO Maura Davies personally apologized to the tenants and issued a public apology to the tenants and their families. The health region is providing financial assistance to lessen the impact of the move to a private seniors housing complex.

Ombudsman Kevin Fenwick and his team will begin work immediately. Among the first steps will be determining a timeline and scope for the review process. The results of the review will be made public.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083