How does an employee of a seniors’ home allegedly sexually assault a resident? How does that person allegedly pass off fake credentials when credentials and a police code of conduct certificate are required? And how does it happen in a facility where vulnerable people are supposed to be protected?
Those are questions many want answered after Christopher John Power of Brigus was accused of doing those things at the Bay Roberts Retirement Centre earlier this year.
While health authorities indicated Tuesday they can’t discuss details of the case due to confidentiality policies, both Eastern Health and the Department of Health and Community Services say they aren’t taking it lightly.
“Eastern Health has zero tolerance for resident abuse and neglect and will evaluate and investigate any complaints or referrals indicating that a resident has been harmed or is at risk of harm,” a prepared statement to The Telegram said.
On Monday, the RCMP announced Power had been arrested Aug. 16 after it received a report he had allegedly sexually assaulted a resident, whose gender and age are not being made public but is confirmed to be over the age of 65.
It’s also believed Power, a personal care attendant, forged and falsified documents at the retirement home, presenting himself as a qualified licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Power faces charges of sexual assault, two counts of uttering forged documents, three counts of falsifying documents and a single count of using the title of licensed practical nurse when not qualified to do so.
He’s been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Harbour Grace on Nov. 18.
The Bay Roberts Retirement Centre is privately owned and operated. According to Eastern Health, employees of personal care homes are employed by the licensed operator, but as the regulatory body for personal care homes in the eastern region, Eastern Health’s role related to the homes is “to inspect and monitor them to ensure compliance with the provincial legislation for the safety and quality of care of residents and staff at these establishments.”
Eastern Health provides monitoring of the homes (including frequency of monitoring) in accordance with provincial legislation.
The Personal Care Home Regulations under the Community Services Act, which sets out minimal hiring standards, states that the licensee is required to obtain a current certificate of conduct from the RNC or the RCMP.
Whether or not Power presented one is not known at this point.
“Reported cases of alleged sexual assault in personal care homes are rare,” the Eastern Health statement said. “However, when an allegation occurs, Eastern Health monitors personal care homes to ensure that all applicable laws and policies to ensure a resident’s rights, care, safety and security needs are met.”
It went on to say, “Eastern Health is working with the RCMP on its investigation. Our main concern is the safety of residents and we have been in regular contact with the licensed operator of the home and have worked with them to initiate a plan to protect residents from potential harm.
“The criminal investigation and the court process takes precedence. Obviously Eastern Health will check to make sure that their policies and procedures were followed and I would wait for them to notify me that they hadn’t, if that was the case, and will obviously deal with that.”
Health Minister Dr. John Haggie told reporters in the House of Assembly Tuesday there’s little he can say about it while the case is before the courts.
“This is an awful situation,” Haggie said. “From our point of view, this is in the hands of the criminal justice system. This is illegal activity. No excuses, no condoning of that at all.”
He said the home operates to standards that the department set, but it’s monitored by Eastern Health through regular and unannounced visits.
“I don’t know that there isn’t always room for improvements, but in terms of HR policies, that would be a discussion (to have) with operator of the home,” he said.
When The Telegram called the home Monday, a woman at the administrative line promptly turned down requests for an interview.
As to what steps government will take to address the alleged incident, Haggie said they will first let the case make its way through the court system.
“The criminal investigation and the court process takes precedence,” Haggie said. “Obviously, Eastern Health will check to make sure that their policies and procedures were followed. I would wait for them to notify me that they hadn’t, if that was the case, and will obviously deal with that.”
Rosie Mullaley reports on breaking news in St. John’s.
