The license for Arbour Cottage was suspended by Island Health after many issues were discovered in an investigation. (Arbour Cottage)

By Spencer Sterritt

bad care

License suspended at small Ladysmith care home

Nov 13, 2020 | 5:24 AM

LADYSMITH — A care license has been pulled from a small long-term care home in Ladysmith.

License holder Jamie Looten was informed by Island Health last month the five-bed privately-owned Arbour Cottage was being suspended effective Oct. 29.

Medical health officer Dr. Shannon Waters’ decision “was based on evidence that there was a high risk to the health and safety of persons in care related to an investigation.”

Arbour Cottage is closed until the investigation is completed.

Island Health confirmed the five residents of Arbour Cottage were assessed and placed in alternative locations after the license was suspended.

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This is the first time since 2014 Island Health has suspended a long-term care home license, according to the health authority.

Issues noted after a routine inspection of Arbour Cottage on Jan. 20, 2017, such as lacking recreation and leisure plans for residents, were still present in the most recent Oct. 23, 2020 inspection.

The recent probe found 22 contraventions of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and the Residential Care Regulation.

This included staff not having valid first aid certificates on file, outdated recreation plans for those living at Arbour Cottage and staff not being screened regularly for COVID-19.

Two complaints were placed against Arbour Cottage since early 2019.

The first complaint on Jan. 2, 2019 was investigated by Island Health, who found Looten didn’t immediately notify the medical health officer about a reportable incident where a person in care was aggressive and caused injuries to staff.

Island Health investigated a second complaint on June 7, 2020 and found the licensee hadn’t promoted the health, safety and dignity of persons in care.

“Specifically not screening for COVID-19 prior to entering the facility, social distancing was not adhered to as ordered by the provincial health officer and visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic,” observations found.

Records show the issues were addressed in corrective action plans.

License holder Jaime Looten told NanaimoNewsNOW he believes many of the issues raised are false.

“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.”

The end was near for Arbour Cottage even if the license wasn’t suspended.

Looten said they have no plans to move Arbour Cottage after the Ladysmith house it’s in was sold. Their notice was given for Dec. 31.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt