Santa Maria seniors' home director responds after abuse allegations

On Friday, CBC learned multiple employees at the Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home were suspended over allegedly assaulting and neglecting a resident. On Saturday, the home's executive director gave an interview about the allegations. 

• Alleged assault, neglect at Regina's Santa Maria care home
• Employees raising concerns about Regina nursing home

Santa Maria care home's Executive Director John Kelly said he cannot say much about the alleged abuse, because it's under investigation by Regina Police and another external investigator.

A resident's family members took their concerns and a video allegedly depicting patient abuse to the patient representative office at the Regina Qu'Appelle health region, which then informed Kelly on Thursday.

"We immediately checked if the individual involved or individuals involved were working. We immediately suspended those individuals and went forward from there," Kelly said.

I think... anyone associated with Santa Maria would be devastated by the allegations- John Kelly, Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home Executive Director

Kelly saw the video late Friday afternoon. He said he is unable to confirm what the video shows, because it has also been forwarded to the police.

"I think... anyone associated with Santa Maria would be devastated by the allegations," Kelly said. "All families and residents of Santa Maria are in the process of being informed."

Kelly says the letter going to residents' family members is similar to that sent to the media— it says the people involved in the allegations are suspended and not allowed at the facility, and assures them that management and investigators are looking into it. 

A representative for Kelly said the video involves one resident and more than one staff member. Kelly wouldn't say how many workers were suspended over the incident, except to confirm it is more than one.

Ombudsman investigating another Santa Maria resident's care

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.

Her case was raised in the Legislature in November. In the days that followed three employees of the care home told CBC News Santa Maria is a 'troubled place', and pointed to under-staffing and bad food as just two of the issues there. 

Government, opposition, police respond

In a statement Friday night Health Minister Dustin Duncan said he was "appalled" by the allegations of assault. 

NDP Leader Cam Broten is calling on the government to establish a seniors' advocate office to work with families. 

"We know that B.C. and Alberta have an independent seniors' advocate and it's so important because it's a spot where families can turn to help navigate the system," Broten said on Saturday. "[It's] also a place that families can go to when they have questions, when they have concerns."

Regina Police confirmed Saturday that the alleged assault and neglect of a resident at the Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home is under investigation. 

Kelly said the staff of Santa Maria will work to regain the trust of staff, residents, and their families. His statement also says the home is doubling its investment in training for its workers.