Middlechurch Home faces new investigation over resident care

Two years afterManitoba's ombudsman found gross mismanagement of public funds at a Winnipeg personal care home, the Middlechurch Home is facing a newinvestigation underprovincial whistleblower legislation.

Acting ombudsman Mel Holley told CBC News this time the complaint is not about financial issues, but the care provided at the facility.

"The issue is health and safety, whether or not people are being looked after properly," Holley said.

"I can tell you that as soon as we got it,we looked at it to determine if there were any immediate safety concerns that needed to be addressed."

Holley saidinvestigators determined there was no imminent risk.Families of residents at the home have been notified of the investigation, he added.

"We have a team of people in there investigating, have been for a couple of weeks. I can tell you that we've got a medical consultant on board to help us assess the issues," he said.

Holley said the team is"getting full co-operation from the home and from the WRHA."

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority took over the 197-bed facility in January.It was previously operated by a board of directors as a registered charity in West St. Paul.

On Aug.26, the WRHA sent a notice to residents, families, and staff of the care home, informing them of the disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act. That means a current employee has come forward with allegations of wrongdoing and has done so under the province's whistleblower protection law.

"The allegations are currently unproven, but are serious and need to be investigated,"WRHApresident and CEO Arlene Wilgosh wrotein the notice to families.

Holley said he expects to have an interim report from the six-person team of investigators ataround the end of October.

In April 2012, the CBC News I-Team reported on a previous investigation at Middlechurch Home into allegations of financial irregularities.

• Middlechurch care home under investigation
• Middlechurch home mismanaged public money: report

Then in the fall of 2012, the provincial ombudsman released a report into a whistleblower complaint and found fault with the former executive director and board of Middlechurch.

• Middlechurch care home director fired after audit

The former executive director has since filed a lawsuit against the employer, the ombudsman, the province and the WRHA, alleging wrongful dismissal and defamation.

The province referred the ombudsman's report to the RCMP for investigation,but the province told CBC News this week thatthe RCMP determined a criminal investigation was not needed.

In 2012, the province appointed the firm Ernst & Young (EY) to act as interim manager of the care home in the wake of the ombudsman'sreport. EY concluded its role in November 2013, the province said.

The ombudsman said as far as he knows, the 2012 case and the current one are not related.

In a statement to CBC News this week,a provincial spokesperson said, "The well-being of the residents [of]Middlechurch Home remains a priority."

"Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority are co-operating fully with the investigation, to ensure residents of Middlechurch Home receive high-quality, safe care," the spokesperson said.

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