City responding to “deteriorating situation” at residential care home in Hamilton

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Published October 23, 2020 at 6:15 pm

The city says it’s taking action in response to what it calls a deteriorating situation at Emerald Lodge Residential Care Facility in Hamilton.

Multiple inspections of the Lodge were conducted this month by the City’s Licensing and Bylaw Services, Public Health Services, and Fire Divisions, which revealed serious concerns about the facility — including its state of repair, the absence of on-site management supervision, the safety and security of staff and residents, staffing levels, inadequate infection prevention and control measures, and an overall inability of the home to meet the residents’ needs.

“Throughout the week the situation at Emerald Lodge has become increasingly untenable and unsafe for residents and staff,” the city said in a statement today.

“This afternoon – at the request of the Receiver for the Lodge (Grant Thornton) – the City will begin the orderly and safe relocation of Emerald Lodge residents.”

The approximately 35 residents will initially be moved to the former Cathedral Boys School for assessment. The city will then work with service partners in the community to find long-term housing alternatives based on the residents’ needs.

This month’s inspections resulted in several orders and notices to the operator that the RCF licence would not be renewed at end of the month. City orders and notices included:

  • On October 1, upon inspection Licensing and Bylaw Services issued Orders to the operator related to property standards with a deadline of November 27, 2020 to address property deficiencies.
  • October 10, the Hamilton Fire Department completed a general inspection of the property which resulted in the issuing of Fire Code Orders to address maintenance and record keeping deficiencies.
  • October 11, Public Health Services issued an HPPA Section 13 Order for pest infestation in a food storage area and Section 22 Order to address infection prevention and control deficiencies.
  • October 21, Licensing and Bylaw Services issued notice to the operator that the RCF licence would not be renewed at end of the month due to the numerous property standards, public health and fire concerns as well as lack of management supervision on site. The license is set to expire October 31, 2020. 

“Emerald Lodge is currently owned and was operated by a numbered company (Stefanie Martino is the Director and Officer), however a Receiver Grant Thornton Limited, has been appointed,” said the city. “Today, the receiver terminated the operator of the Lodge.”

Further updates from the city are expected in the coming days.

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