Protests at Queen’s Park by people affected by the pandemic deaths at Orchard Villa LTC in Pickering
A nursing home operator that recorded the highest death rate in Ontario during the pandemic is set to expand, which will cause the Orchard Villa Long-Term Care Home in Pickering to increase its size more than four times.
The provincial Municipal Affairs and Housing ministry gave the green light for this expansion at Orchard Villa – currently housing 320 beds – by operators Southbridge over two years ago, despite their past issues during the pandemic and protests from grieving families both at Valley Farm Road and Queen’s Park.
After a number of delays, Southbridge received further approval for an enhanced Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) to speed up construction, even after Pickering Council requested that the MZO be revoked.
Southbridge plans to build a 15-storey structure on the southwest side of the site before tearing down the current building and replacing it with two or three others, each standing 10-15 storeys tall.
In total, Southbridge aims to create 832 long-term care beds along with another 670 retirement home beds.
Site mobilization is anticipated to start later this month.
Over 70 residents of Orchard Villa died from COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic, while others suffered due to negligence, dehydration, and starvation. In one incident, a resident choked because staff fed them improperly. Overall, Southbridge operates 25 long-term care homes throughout Ontario and lost nine percent of its residents-making it the highest loss rate among any for-profit chain.
The conditions at Orchard Villa along with four other homes became so dire that support was sought from both the Canadian Armed Forces and Red Cross; afterwards, a harsh report revealed infestations of cockroaches, rotting food left out, residents stuck in soiled diapers for extended periods, unsafe medication distribution practices, and serious injuries like broken hips going untreated.
A legal challenge was launched against last year’s decision by Ontario’s government to allow expansion at Orchard Villa following protests at Queen’s Park by senior groups and those who lost family members as well as efforts from Pickering Council.
Despite these efforts, the expansion went ahead quickly anyway.
“It didn’t matter what we said; the ministry was going to move ahead anyway,” Pickering Councillor Maurice Brenner stated. “Our position has not changed. The people who lived there lived through hell.”
Brenner mentioned that there isn’t much more that can be done except ensure Southbridge obtains all necessary building permits and site plan approvals.
“That won’t be a challenge but they still have to go through all that,” he said. “I expect they’ll get started on construction sooner rather than later.”
The Orchard Villa facility falls within Brenner’s ward where many are still feeling pain from events that occurred there in 2020.
“The scars do not heal when you lose loved ones,” he expressed. “Those pictures will never go away.”
Brenner also highlighted many “unanswered questions” regarding Southbridge’s model moving forward-if they’ve learned anything along this journey.
“It’s frustrating. There s a need for long-term care but is it going to be profit or non-profit?”
“This chapter has not yet closed.”
Patricia Spindel from Seniors for Social Action Ontario noted earlier this year that studies show non-profit homes provide superior care.
“But when it came time to make funding decisions, the Ontario government inexplicably chose to expand the for-profit institutional sector rather than non-profit assisted living programs that would have offered integrated care to elders in their own homes and communities.”
Cathy Parkes, who lost her father Paul at Orchard Villa and has filed for a judicial review regarding this expansion commented that long-term care facilities with repeated failures “do not deserve a free pass.”
“After so many deaths including my father’s-and ongoing issues detailed in incident reports-Southbridge should not have been granted extra beds or a new 30-year license for Orchard Villa. Ontarians deserve assurance that quality care is prioritized in long-term care.”
Due to numerous inquiries about redevelopment plans at Orchard Villa, City of Pickering issued a statement clarifying that this project is “provincially approved and privately led” indicating that because of MZO jurisdiction-control over zoning rests with province rather than city authorities.
The city clarified: “The city did not initiate or fund redevelopment” while their role remains confined only within mandated responsibilities.
“We recognize that Orchard Villa has raised public concern within our community; we empathize deeply with sentiments expressed toward older adults and their families,” read part of their statement.
“Our staff continue commitment towards providing transparent updates throughout project progression while maintaining dialogue alongside Ministry officials ensuring quality service delivery stands front & center throughout redevelopment phases.”
“The city shall keep advocating dignity, safety & compassionate treatment amongst seniors within Pickering’s community whilst sustaining connections alongside provincial representatives aiding accountability ensuring positive outcomes remain focal point every step forward.”
The city added any inquiries related directly concerning construction specifics could be directed towards Southbridge Health Care LP via www. southbridgecarehomes. com. For questions surrounding provincial authorizations relating policy regarding long term-care matters please visit Ontario Ministry Of Long Term Care website located here www. Ontario. ca/page/ministry-long-term-care.
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Over 70 residents of Orchard Villa died from COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic, while others suffered due to negligence, dehydration, and starvation. In one incident, a resident choked because staff fed them improperly. Overall, Southbridge operates 25 long-term care homes throughout Ontario and lost nine percent of its residents-making it the highest loss rate among any for-profit chain.
The conditions at Orchard Villa along with four other homes became so dire that support was sought from both the Canadian Armed Forces and Red Cross; afterwards, a harsh report revealed infestations of cockroaches, rotting food left out, residents stuck in soiled diapers for extended periods, unsafe medication distribution practices, and serious injuries like broken hips going untreated.
A legal challenge was launched against last year’s decision by Ontario’s government to allow expansion at Orchard Villa following protests at Queen’s Park by senior groups and those who lost family members as well as efforts from Pickering Council.
Despite these efforts, the expansion went ahead quickly anyway.
“It didn’t matter what we said; the ministry was going to move ahead anyway,” Pickering Councillor Maurice Brenner stated. “Our position has not changed. The people who lived there lived through hell.”
Brenner mentioned that there isn’t much more that can be done except ensure Southbridge obtains all necessary building permits and site plan approvals.
“That won’t be a challenge but they still have to go through all that,” he said. “I expect they’ll get started on construction sooner rather than later.”
The Orchard Villa facility falls within Brenner’s ward where many are still feeling pain from events that occurred there in 2020.
“The scars do not heal when you lose loved ones,” he expressed. “Those pictures will never go away.”
Brenner also highlighted many “unanswered questions” regarding Southbridge’s model moving forward-if they’ve learned anything along this journey.
“It’s frustrating. There s a need for long-term care but is it going to be profit or non-profit?”
“This chapter has not yet closed.”
Patricia Spindel from Seniors for Social Action Ontario noted earlier this year that studies show non-profit homes provide superior care.
“But when it came time to make funding decisions, the Ontario government inexplicably chose to expand the for-profit institutional sector rather than non-profit assisted living programs that would have offered integrated care to elders in their own homes and communities.”
Cathy Parkes, who lost her father Paul at Orchard Villa and has filed for a judicial review regarding this expansion commented that long-term care facilities with repeated failures “do not deserve a free pass.”
“After so many deaths including my father’s-and ongoing issues detailed in incident reports-Southbridge should not have been granted extra beds or a new 30-year license for Orchard Villa. Ontarians deserve assurance that quality care is prioritized in long-term care.”
Due to numerous inquiries about redevelopment plans at Orchard Villa, City of Pickering issued a statement clarifying that this project is “provincially approved and privately led” indicating that because of MZO jurisdiction-control over zoning rests with province rather than city authorities.
The city clarified: “The city did not initiate or fund redevelopment” while their role remains confined only within mandated responsibilities.“We recognize that Orchard Villa has raised public concern within our community; we empathize deeply with sentiments expressed toward older adults and their families,” read part of their statement.
“Our staff continue commitment towards providing transparent updates throughout project progression while maintaining dialogue alongside Ministry officials ensuring quality service delivery stands front & center throughout redevelopment phases.”
“The city shall keep advocating dignity, safety & compassionate treatment amongst seniors within Pickering’s community whilst sustaining connections alongside provincial representatives aiding accountability ensuring positive outcomes remain focal point every step forward.”
The city added any inquiries related directly concerning construction specifics could be directed towards Southbridge Health Care LP via www. southbridgecarehomes. com. For questions surrounding provincial authorizations relating policy regarding long term-care matters please visit Ontario Ministry Of Long Term Care website located here www. Ontario. ca/page/ministry-long-term-care.
Last 30 Days:66 ,254 Votes
All Time:1 ,138 ,551 Votes
2992 VOTES
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