Health Minister Dustin Duncan considering options on Santa Maria allegations

Saskatchewan Health Minister Dustin Duncan says he's considering his options in the wake of allegations of violence against a patient at Regina's Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Duncan said he is meeting with the ​Catholic health ministry board of directors — hopefully this week — to talk about what happens next at Santa Maria.

He said he has not seen any video associated with the allegation, noting he first heard about the matter on Friday.

"This is a resident that is not just under our care," Duncan said. "This is a resident under my care and I want to see what happened."

Regina police are investigating after being provided with a video allegedly showing an assault and neglect involving a resident at the home.
 
Santa Maria was already under investigation by the ombudsman for a separate claim of neglect. Margaret Warholm's family believe she died prematurely at least in part because of the treatment she received in the home.

Workers at the home have signed a petition describing various problems with how its being run, including understaffing and employees being overworked.

Some workers at the home have been suspended over allegations of abuse and neglect.

Duncan said the contents of the video were described to him and what he heard was "appalling."

"It's been explained to me ... what was on the video," he said. "And there will be, I think, a time for that to be publicly disclosed. But because it is an active police investigation, now isn't that time."

He said that among the options he will be talking to the board is putting a different administrator in charge of the facility.

He's also looking at additional investigations or inquiries. Another option could be giving more support to existing management. 

NDP leader Cam Broten was critical of the minister's response. Broten said a special administrator should be in place right away, at Santa Maria. Broten was also not impressed that the minister did not, as of Monday, have a date for a meeting with officials from the Catholic health ministry's board of directors. 

CBC News has learned the alleged victim in the latest case is a man who was a resident at Santa Maria.