Santa Maria allegations arose when family set up video, sources say

Allegations of abuse of a resident of a Regina nursing arose after family members had a video system set up in the man's room, according to information obtained by CBC News.

What happened is currently the focus of a police investigation and officials from the nursing home have said a number of staff have been suspended.

According to sources, a resident had expressed some concerns and fears about his care to family members. Because the man has a form of dementia, it was difficult for him to communicate details.

When the family heard other stories about issues of care in nursing homes, including at Santa Maria, they had some video equipment installed in their father's room.

The sources said the video shows the senior being restrained in a chair by a female worker using some sort of strap-like material and being struck in the head, described as a smack on the head, by the same worker multiple times.

Health region VP responds to allegations

On Monday, Michael Redenbach, vice-president of integrated health services for the Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region, said he agreed with comments from the minister of health who called the allegations appalling. 

"It was a terrible situation," Redenbach said, adding he had not seen the video. Redenbach said officials learned about the allegations on Thursday.

"The video was described to us at first," he said. "It wasn't until Friday when we viewed the video."

Redenbach did not say what format the video used nor provide details about its length. He also declined to elaborate on what the video is alleged to show.

Citing patient confidentiality, officials — including Redenbach — did not address questions about the resident's current well-being.

Redenbach explained that the Santa Maria facility is an affiliated health facility that is funded by the region and provides services through a contract.

"So, Santa Maria has a board that oversees the operations," he said. "We do work closely with all our affiliates."

Redenbach added that he does not believe the alleged incident is related to working in a stressful environment.

"I would not, in any way, draw a connection between stress in the workplace or short staffing with regards to this particular incident," he said. "There are people all over our health care system that work in stressful environments and work in difficult situations that don't react in the way that this staff member did."