An investigation into Arbour Cottage found conditions for residents were sub-par, justifying an Island Health decision to suspend the license in late 2020. (Arbour Cottage)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

POOR CONDITIONS

Operator of Ladysmith long-term care home suspended for 18 months

Nov 12, 2021 | 2:52 PM

LADYSMITH — The former operator of a local long-term care home is suspended from operating such facilities for 18 months.

A notice published in late Oct. on the website for the B.C. College of Nurses & Midwives confirmed Jaime Looten was issued an 18 month suspension along with numerous other limitations after an investigation confirmed poor conditions at Arbour Cottage.

The investigation found staff did not have adequate CPR training, shelves were not always stocked with sufficient food or care supplies and medical intervention wasn’t provided for two residents which resulted in hospitalizations.

It was also noted COVID-19 protocols were not being completely followed, however the notice did not elaborate on what those protocols were. Earlier reports from Island Health suggested screening of staff and visitors, as well as social distancing practices weren’t occurring.

In addition to his 18 month suspension, Looten is required to be supervised during work for the next five years. He is not allowed to hold a position where he is the only nurse on duty, or act in a position of power as a nurse in charge.

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He is also limited to working day shifts with other nurses only and is not allowed to work overtime or in a group setting.

The restrictions came via a consent agreement between the Inquiry Committee of the college and Looten.

Arbour College was closed in October 2020 after Island Health suspended its license following complaints from residents and their families.

Five residents were assessed by Island Health and placed in other homes.

The investigation stemmed from issues found during a January 2017 routine inspection which were still present in October 2020.

Island Health found 22 contraventions of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and the Residential Care Regulation.

Two complaints were also placed against Arbour Cottage since early 2019.

One involved an incident between a staff member and an aggressive resident who injured the staff member. Looten failed to report the incident as required.

A second complaint found Looten did not promote the health, safety and dignity of persons in care.

Looten told NanaimoNewsNOW in November 2020 he did not believe all the issues raised were valid.

“I do my best to address everything. It’s a tough business, it’s not easy to do and you’re always going to come up against families or whatever who aren’t happy.”

Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, Arbour Cottage was likely shutting down.

The property the care home was operated out of was sold in late 2020, with the care home needing to move for Jan. 1, 2021. Looten said in November there were no plans in place to move.

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