Seniors at Nanaimo facility face uncertain future as debate rages over care model
NANAIMO — Concerns surrounding major changes at a Nanaimo residential care home are just part of a much larger issue in B.C., according to an advocate.
As of Sept. 30 all of the roughly 140 employees at Wexford Creek were fired and a third party, SimpeQ Care, took over care delivery at the facility. Vancouver-based Park Place Seniors Living originally took over ownership of the complex in late September after buying the 150-bed Tenth Street location from another care provider.
The Hospital Employees’ Union claims very few staff will continue working at Wexford and the changeover will have a major negative impact on the residents and their continuity of care. However, Park Place reports that 90 per cent of the employees that worked there under the previous owner were still employed as of Oct. 3.
“If you’re dealt some unpleasant news in your workplace very few of us have the ability to pack our bags and say ‘that’s it, I’m done’,” says Kim Slater, chair of the Vancouver Island Association of Family Councils. “What has happened typically in other situations like this is those very people start looking for other jobs. It creates that instability that can go into the future.”