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This investigation was a huge effort for our small publication, taxing in so many ways. But even at nearly 5000 words, we couldn't include everything. To those who've read it (thank you) and want more, here are some loose ends. @royinori @thelocalhealth https://thelocal.to/whos-actually-running-ontarios-long-term-care-homes/
Deficiencies at Extendicare-managed facilities go further back than the period covered. They were previously sued by US Dep’t of Justice for "materially substandard nursing services that were so deficient that they were effectively worthless.” https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/extendicare-health-services-inc-agrees-pay-38-million-settle-false-claims-act-allegations
In 2014, Extendicare agreed to pay US$38, the largest "failure of care" settlement of its kind in US history at that point. A month later, the company announced that it was exiting the US market (US assets sold for $1B) to concentrate on Canada.
Despite its track record here and abroad, in March when the Pinecrest home in Bobcaygeon had the big outbreak (29 would eventually die) the Ministry of Long-Term Care secured the assistance from Extendicare Assist to help manage the situation. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-covid-19-kills-nine-infects-34-staff-at-bobcaygeon-nursing-home/
On October 8, the CEO of Extendicare was summoned before Ontario’s LTC COVID-19 Commission. Here’s the transcript: http://www.ltccommission-commissionsld.ca/transcripts/pdf/Extendicare_Transcript_October_08_2020.pdf
The Commissioners asked mostly softball questions, none having to do with their contract services business, Extendicare Assist. The CEO’s presentation concentrated on the homes they own, which performed better than the outsourced homes, based on our data.
It’s hard to blame the Commissioners for being soft. The terms of reference they were given forbid them from investigating any “civil or criminal responsibility of any person or organization” http://www.ltccommission-commissionsld.ca/li/pdf/TOR_LTC_COVID_Commission_updated-October_2020.pdf
In the end, as the many voices in our story opined, accountability remains elusive in Ontario’s long-term care industry.
