ARTHUR– An Arthur nursing home battling a severe COVID outbreak is getting management support from the local hospital corporation.
A press release from the province on Wednesday announced approval for a voluntary management contract allowing North Wellington Health Care Corp. to take over management of Caressant Care Arthur Nursing Home.
The Arthur long-term care and retirement home is in the midst of the largest outbreak in the region with 65 linked cases and two deaths from COVID since the outbreak was first declared in mid-December.
North Wellington Health Care Corp. operates two hospitals in Wellington County: Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest and Palmerston and District Hospital in Palmerston.
Voluntary management contracts stay in effect for 90 days and can be extended if necessary.
To date, the Ministry of Long-Term Care has issued seven mandatory management orders and approved 26 voluntary management contracts between Ontario hospitals and care homes.
Alison Armstrong, spokesperson for the Wellington Health Care Alliance/North Wellington Health Care, clarified by email this only applies to the long-term care wing and not the associated retirement home.
She also stressed the hospital corporation has been requested and not ordered to take over management of the long-term care home.
Taking over management duties includes at minimum:
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Delivery of all clinical services in the care of residents
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Delivery of all operational services including management of staff and contracts
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Delivery of all communication, administrative and financial services
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Development of a transition plan back to Caressant Care Arthur
The goal is to make sure care needs are met, stop the current outbreak, stabilize staffing and to enhance services to avoid future outbreaks.
Armstrong said Kate Kobbes, VP of operations for the Wellington Health Care Alliance, is leading the effort at Caressant Care.
“Kate is a qualified long-term care home administrator and has more than 20 years experience in healthcare,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong said some Caressant Care Arthur staff are scheduled to receive the vaccine this week.
