durhamregion.com This Week| W |Thursday, March 3, 2022 | 2 Stay Active This Spring - Register on March 16 Looking to register yourself or a family member for a program like swimming classes, Basketball or 55+ Art Classes? Browse ACTIVE Net and create a Wish List so you're ready for registration day on March 16 at 9 a.m. Sessions start March 28. whitby.ca/GetActive Visiting a Town Facility? As directed by the Province, proof of vaccination is no longer required, however the use of masks is still mandatory in all indoor public settings. Thank you for your cooperation. whitby.ca/COVID Please Pick Up After Your Pets When the snow melts the dog poop doesn't. Please remember to pick up after your pet and put waste in designated garbage bins or take it home with you. whitby.ca/Waste P: 905.430.4300 E: info@whitby.ca whitby.ca What You Need To Know This Week: Have Your Say On Fireworks In Whitby We're exploring changes to the Town's fireworks regulations and want to hear from you! Do you use fireworks? Where and when do you think fireworks should be used in our community? Do you have any concerns about the use of fireworks in general? Complete a survey by Monday, March 21 to have your say. connectwhitby.ca/Fireworks World Water Day Film Screening Visit the Whitby Public Library on March 22 at 7 p.m. to attend a free screening of the documentary "SHORELINE: The Paddle Against Plastic", an inspiring film that follows Rochelle Byrne as she embarks on a 430km paddle journey across Lake Ontario to raise awareness about plastic pollution. A live question and answer session will take place with Rochelle following the screening. Space is limited, register now. whitby.ca/WWD and blunt. "I think they should shut down Sunnycrest completely because to me, Sunnycrest is old, rundown. It smells. It's got garbage. I think they should knock that down and rebuild it all over again," said Tina Difebo. Doug Boyd was clear as well: "Shut down Sunnycrest ... this facility has failed us, failed the community and has failed everyone. There are no words to explain it. This has to close down." An independent inspector's report at Sunnycrest in December 2020 found staffing levels below 50 per cent, a lack of control practices, shortage of staff leading to wound dressings not being completed, high-risk medications up to two hours late, staff reporting lack of access to personal protective equipment, inconsistent precautions signage on resident rooms and a lack of PPE caddies located outside resident rooms. In December 2020, the Ministry of Long-Term Care released a statement about the outbreak and the situation at Sunnycrest, saying that "long-term-care homes must have an outbreak management system for detecting, managing, and controlling infectious disease outbreaks. This includes a communication plan to keep families informed. As a part of the communication plan, long-term-care homes inform visitors and families of outbreaks and limit visitation during those times. Homes must also oversee their staffing." Lakeridge Health took over management of Sunnycrest under a voluntary management contract, which was originally intended to last for 90 days but was then extended. Staff from Lakeridge Healthfrom Lakeridge Healthf helped run the facility in assistance with Sunnycrest Nursing Home staff. The nursing home has remained stable since the second COVID-19 wave that claimed so many lives. But its days are now numbered. It won't, however, close before all the residents are safely moved to a new facility, according to a letter all residents received. It was signed by Julie Goldstein, senior director of healthy aging, Lakeridge Health. Residents were told in the letter that "we are working closely with residents and their families to find a suitable placement in our region. "We have established a Transition Support Team with Home and Community Care Support Services to ensure all residents are relocated to a home that is appropriate for their needs and in accordance with their preferences. Our Transition Support Team will schedule an individual meeting with each resident and their family to discuss new home options and answer any questions. We are committed to working through this transition with residents and families and to provide as much guidance as possible during this time." It was less clear what would happen with staff. Staff were told they would be supported "in this transition." It wasn't clear if Sunnycrest staff would be laid off or if other jobs would be found for them. All transition and moving costs will be covered by Sunnycrest, the letter said. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Sunnycrest Nursing Home was the site of one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks and resulted in 34 deaths among older adults in late 2020 during the second wave. Calls for its closure in 2021 are now being followed up on as residents will move to new facilities. NEWS Continued from page 1 'THIS FACILITY HAS FAILED US, FAILED THE COMMUNITY AND HAS FAILED EVERYONE': DOUG BOYD IN 2021 SCAN THE CODE to read more news online at durhamregion.com. "I think they should shut down Sunnycrest completely because to me, Sunnycrest is old, rundown." - Tina Difebo A STRONGER VOICE We recognize that diversity is the strength of our communities and we are inviting you to share your voice in our publications. DURHAMREGION.COM/COMMUNITYDIVERSITY