Island Health is extending the temporary appointment of an administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of Selkirk Seniors Village in Victoria.
On June 10, Island Health’s Board of Directors extended the temporary appointment for four months, to at least October 12, 2020 after reviewing the recommendation from Medical Health Officer Dr. Murray Fyfe.
“I strongly support the decision by the Vancouver Island Health Board of Directors to extend the appointment of the administrator,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Ensuring that residents in long-term care facilities are receiving quality, safe and dignified care is our foremost priority. We will continue to put residents first before any other consideration.”
“The Board is pleased with the reports of substantial progress towards meeting legislated care standards at Selkirk Seniors Village,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair. “However, the reports also make clear that the administrator and her team have more work to do towards meeting our commitment of providing the best possible care to these residents.”
Dr. Fyfe’s recommendation to extend the appointment was based on detailed reports from site administrator Susan Abermann and Island Health’s Community Care Facilities Licensing program. Both Ms. Abermann and Licensing recommended an extension of the appointment.
Dr. Fyfe noted substantial and encouraging progress towards meeting legislated standards of care at Selkirk Seniors Village and strategies implemented to date have been effective in addressing all areas of concern identified by Licensing in 2019. Specifically, Dr. Fyfe pointed to improved communication and relationship building with resident’s loved ones through monthly Family Council meetings, the purchase of necessary equipment and the creation of new staff positions.
Dr. Fyfe stated an additional period of oversight was required to continue to improve staff training and education processes, support staff in care planning and to provide ongoing monitoring of facility maintenance.
Ms. Abermann will remain as the site’s administrator and will continue to report to the Island Health Board of Directors. She will continue to provide comprehensive leadership of the daily operation and management of the facility.
Ms. Abermann was initially appointed as administrator at Selkirk Seniors Village on December 12, 2019 for a period of at least six months, ending June 12, 2020. The appointment by the Board of Directors was based on a recommendation from Dr. Fyfe and followed investigation and reporting by the Licensing program.
Island Health’s Board will once again review the situation and consider the administrator’s appointment at Selkirk Seniors Village prior to October 12.
Selkirk Seniors Village is a privately owned 217-bed long-term care facility operated by Pacific Reach Seniors Housing Management operating as West Coast Seniors Housing Management, which is part of the Retirement Concepts group of companies. Island Health publicly funds 185 of the beds.
Please see the backgrounder summarizing the Medical Health Officer’s recommendation to the Board here.