LITTLE CURRENT—The board of Manitoulin Centennial Manor received some very welcomed news during their recent meeting.
Manor Administrator Don Cook informed the board that he had received a letter from the lawyers handling a class action suit against nursing homes over their handling of the pandemic and the horrific losses of life that had occurred in long-term care facilities.
The Manor was able to dodge involvement in the class action suit, largely given that there were no plaintiffs or claims against the Manor.
“We didn’t even have an outbreak until 2022,” noted Mr. Cook, who attributed that success to diligent care taken by staff at the nursing home and residents themselves. “I would think it would be hard to include us in a class action.”
Mr. Cook noted that most of the names listed on the class action roster are larger corporate homes.
“If we were to have a claim going forward, it would likely be rolled into the Extendicare group,” suggested Mr. Cook.
Extendicare provides management and logistical services to the Manor under contract, although the day-to-day operations of the long-term care home are handled locally.
Manitoulin Centennial Manor is currently in union negotiations with both CUPE and the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) over contracts. ONA is currently awaiting an arbitration date. The arbitration date for the CUPE negotiations were set for March 28.
The courtyard project, financed by an anonymous donor family, will likely see a grand opening sometime in June. “Most things are done now,” said Mr. Cook. “We are just waiting on better weather to get a few last things done.” Plans are in place to have a mural painted on the side of the building by the courtyard and a set of carvings depicting the Seven Grandfather Teachings will be installed.
The home remains in good financial shape overall and capital projects are proceeding well.
