SEIU Healthcare calls on the County to take immediate action to resolve all compliance issues to lift the province’s ban at Sunset Manor

Richmond Hill, Ontario — Sunset Manor, a long-term care facility managed by the County of Simcoe, is entering into the 16th month of its provincial ban on taking new residents made by the Ministry of Long-Term Care in June 2021.

The Ministry has stated that they will not lift the ban because they do not believe the home is properly managed and cannot risk the well-being of residents. In addition to issues with medication administration, infection control, delayed reporting, and overall safety and security, the Ministry also reported that staff need more support from management, which includes His Worship County Warden and Mayor George Cornell.

The County of Simcoe has filed an appeal to have the ban overturned. Due to the ban, as of this release, as many as 47 beds remain empty at the home.

Frontline workers at Sunset Manor have complained of being short-staffed, but most are afraid to address these concerns, choosing to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. In the County’s Covid Declaration, they promised 101 full-time positions across their three long-term care homes, prompting some workers to give up jobs with other employers. Since then, the administration has significantly reduced hours by up to 25%. This has forced some workers to seek employment elsewhere, further impacting a staffing crisis being felt across the healthcare sector.

In order for Sunset Manor to better support their residents and staff, SEIU Healthcare is calling on The County of Simcoe to:

Ensure Sunset Manor’s administration team, including His Worship County Warden and Mayor George Cornell, works quickly to find real solutions to lift all orders and meet provincial standards.
Increase staffing and hours of care at County-run homes to help address the recruitment and retention crisis, as well as ensure County residents get the support and care they need.
Work with all County-run homes to create safe and respectful environments for staff to speak to management about their issues and concerns without the fear of retribution.
“It is extremely disturbing and neglectful for the County of Simcoe and Sunset Manor to not do everything in their power immediately in order to re-open their doors to seniors in Collingwood who badly need their support,” said SEIU Healthcare Union Representative Allison Ward-Trumbley. “Instead of urgently implementing solutions, we are hearing they are telling their staff to turn a blind eye to shortcuts, cutting hours of care, and allowing residents to suffer.”

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SEIU Healthcare represents more than 60,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union’s members work in hospitals, homecare, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. www.seiuhealthcare.ca