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Information Updates

As a follow up to our message on September 29, the Ministry of Long Term Care announced late yesterday that Peel Region is among the communities where the renewed visitor restrictions to long term care facilities will once again apply. This means that beginning Wednesday, October 7, only essential visitors, including caregivers, will be allowed visit Camilla Care Community. At this time, general visitors will not be allowed for indoor or outdoor in-person visits to Camilla Care Community. In addition, short-stay or temporary absences for residents with friends or family members are currently on hold.

If you would like to be designated an essential caregiver for a resident, please see below for more information and next steps.

The province is making these changes to help protect residents and staff in long-term care homes in areas where there is higher community spread of COVID-19. You can find more information on the provincial announcement here.

While we appreciate these new measures are necessary to protect your loved ones, we also recognize the potential impact it may have on their mental health. Please know that we remain committed to providing residents with the best possible care, which includes helping to ensure a connection with family and friends as well as providing emotional support through this challenging time. Below is information on how you can stay connected and steps we’re taking to provide mental health support to residents.

Staying Connected - Window and Virtual Visits

Window Visits
Residents and families are welcome to schedule window visits. We do not know the level of interest this will generate, so we ask for your patience while we do our best to coordinate requests.

Virtual Visits
We encourage friends and family members to schedule a phone call or video visit with their loved one at Camilla. Virtual visits will be scheduled Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with limited spaces on the weekends.

To book a virtual visit or a window visit, contact: camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca or 905-270-0411 extension 242. We will do our best to respond to phone calls and email requests within 48 hours. Window visits can also be booked online at https://www.siennaliving.ca/long-term-care/we-connect.

Emotional Support for Residents

Resident mental health & wellbeing remains a top priority. Where needed, individual care plans for residents are adjusted with supports including geriatric psychiatry, spiritual care, and one-on-one support from the Camilla Recreation Team. Group activities to promote positive engagement will continue in a safe manner, including distanced group exercise, communal dining and shared recreational activities.

Essential Caregivers

Per the latest guidance from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, essential visitors, including essential caregivers remain able to visit the home. Please note the following provincial direction on essential caregivers:

  • The resident or Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) decides who is an essential caregiver. Up to two essential caregivers can be designated at one time.
  • Only one essential caregiver can visit the home at one time.
  • If resident is self-isolating, the essential caregiver can still visit to deliver care.
  • Changes to an essential caregiver designation must be in response to the resident’s care needs or based on caregiver availability to deliver services.
  • The caregiver does not need to schedule visits and while care can be delivered in the resident’s room, care activities and roommates will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Designated locations will also be set up in each home area.
  • Essential caregivers must undergo IPAC training & education prior to visiting the home and must verbally attest to a negative COVID-19 test within 14 days of each visit to the home.

If you would like to be designated an essential caregiver for a resident, please email CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca with your full name and relationship to the resident.

These are difficult, but necessary changes to ensure the safety of our residents in the face of a second wave of COVID-19. As always, we would like to thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation as we implement this new direction. As always, if you any questions, please reach out to CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca.

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Suspect Respiratory Outbreak Declared Over
We are pleased to let you know the suspect respiratory outbreak on the 4th floor has been declared over by Peel Public Health. This means visits can resume effective immediately. Family and friends of 4th floor residents who had visits postponed will be contacted in the order the visit was postponed to reschedule.

Essential Visitors - Caregivers
As shared in our message with you on September 11, the province provided updated guidance on essential caregivers in long-term care. We are now ready to welcome caregivers back into the home as of Tuesday, September 22. The following is an overview essential caregiver guidance:

  • Caregivers are designated by the resident or Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) to provide care support (e.g. assistance with meals, mobility, personal hygiene, social support and meaningful connection)
  • Each resident/SDM may choose up to 2 essential caregivers at one time
  • Caregivers must be over the age of 18 and may include family, friends, private caregivers, companions or translators
  • Changes to an essential caregiver designation must be in response to the resident’s care needs or based on caregiver availability to deliver services
  • Caregivers are required to participate in education and training related to infection prevention and control (e.g. wearing personal protective equipment, physical distancing, hand hygiene)
  • Caregivers must attest to a negative COVID-19 test within 14 days of each visit to the home
  • Caregivers do not need to schedule visits and while care can be delivered in the resident’s room, the care activities and impact to roommates will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • If a resident is self-isolating or the home is in an outbreak, one caregiver may still visit

If you want to be designated an essential caregiver for a resident, email CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca with your full name and relationship to the resident. From there, the Camilla team will follow up to confirm the designation and next steps for training and tips on what to expect when you visit.

As a reminder, there are no changes to provincial guidance on general visitors at this time which means family and friends must continue to schedule in-person visits, attest to a negative COVID-19 test within 14 days of the visit and follow all infection prevention and control measures while in the home. The option for families to take residents for outings outside of Camilla also remains in place.

 

On September 18, out of an abundance of caution, Peel Public Health declared a suspect respiratory outbreak on the 4th floor at Camilla Care Community as a result of two residents with respiratory symptoms.

The affected residents or their Substitute Decision Maker / Power of Attorney have been contacted. Additionally, a number of measures were implemented immediately:

  • The two residents were swabbed for respiratory infections, including COVID-19, and we expect the test results in the next short while.
  • The two affected residents are being asked not to leave their rooms.
  • All residents on the 4th floor are under droplet-contact precautions, meaning staff continue to wear masks, face shields, gloves and gowns when providing care
  • Continued monitoring of all residents and staff for respiratory symptoms.
  • Designation of staff to work on the 4th floor only during the suspect outbreak.
  • In-person general visits with 4th floor residents are postponed until further notice. Families and friends who have scheduled visits with 4th floor residents will be notified.
  • General visitors for residents on the 2nd and 3rd floors may continue at this time.

The Camilla Care Community team is working closely with Peel Public Health to monitor, assess and determine when these enhanced measures can end. We recognize this is difficult for everyone and despite our best efforts, these fluctuations are to be expected as we navigate COVID-19 and the flu season in the coming months.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca if you have any questions.

We are reaching out to provide an update on the gastroenteritis outbreak, resident outings COVID-19 staff surveillance testing and changes to resident caregivers.

Gastroenteritis Outbreak Declared Over
We are pleased to let you know the gastroenteritis outbreak at Camilla has been declared over by Peel Public Health. This means that in-person visits can resume effective September 3, 2020.

Families who had visits cancelled due to the gastroenteritis outbreak are being contacted directly by Camilla for rebooking in the order the visits were postponed.We are working as quickly as possible to catch up and once the postponed visits are re-scheduled, we will let you know when the online booking system is available again.

Provincial Directive on Outings for Long Term Care Residents
As we shared on August 28, the Ontario government announced that residents in long-term care may now leave the home for health care-related, social or other types of outings.

Starting today, Friday, September 4, residents can leave the home for a short-stay absence that does not include an overnight stay. While you do not have to book a specific time slot as is required for an in-person visit on site, we ask that families seeking an outing with a resident to please call the respective Resident Home Area at least 2 hours ahead to let Camilla staff know, so they can prepare your loved one to be ready. Resident Home Area contacts for each floor can be found here. For everyone’s safety, please follow good infection prevention practices during outings, just as you do during visits on site at Camilla: masking, physical distancing, and hand washing/hand sanitization. 

We are so happy to be able to allow outings, as we know how much these visits mean to families. However, there will be a learning curve on how to do this smoothly, and we ask for families to have patience with the Camilla team as we work out the new process over the next several days.

We are still working on a plan to be able to safely support temporary absences that include an overnight stay for residents outside of the home. Please know that we are doing everything we can to accommodate this new directive from the province, while ensuring the safety of residents. We will be back in touch as soon as possible with an update.

For more information on the Ontario government directive on safe outings for long-term care residents, please click here.

Welcoming Caregivers to Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes
You may have seen the new guidelines from the Ontario Government, announced on September 2. The guidelines highlight changes to resident caregivers and entry into care communities. You can read the official announcement here.

The Camilla team is reviewing and determining how these guidelines will be incorporated into our procedures with a focus on protecting health and safety of our residents. We will share more prior to the effective date on Wednesday, September 9.

COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Testing
As part of the most recent round of staff surveillance testing, an individual tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member immediately began isolating at home for 14 days. This staff member was asymptomatic at the time of testing. All other staff test results were negative.

The COVID-19 positive staff member does not deliver direct care to residents and does not physically work on any of the home area floors.

Peel Public Health advised that Camilla is NOT in a suspected or declared outbreak and at this time, is considered under investigation for COVID-19 and they will closely monitor. Camilla will to continue to ensure current IPAC measures are in place, which include:

  • Active screening of all staff and visitors
  • Active screening of all residents
  • Physical distancing measures and appropriate signage
  • Enhanced environmental cleaning and hand hygiene
  • Staff universal masking
  • Limiting work locations
  • Continued surveillance testing for staff

As always, reach out to CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca if you have questions.

Following the gastroenteritis outbreak declared at Camilla Care Community on August 12 and the suspect COVID-19 outbreak declared on August 13, all impacted residents and Substitute Decision Makers were directly contacted. We provided an update to families via email on August 19 and here is the latest we can share. 

Suspect COVID-19 Outbreak Declared Over: We can now confirm that Peel Public Health has declared the suspect COVID-19 portion of the outbreak is over. The recent positive test result is confirmed to be residual from an early infection and is not contagious. We will continue to monitor all residents and test for COVID-19 as needed.

Gastroenteritis Outbreak Update: The gastroenteritis outbreak continues and as of August 24, there are three active resident cases, five resolved resident cases and one resolved staff member. With the guidance of Peel Public Health, all outdoor and in-person visits remain temporarily paused and are re-assessed every 48 hours.

A gastroenteritis outbreak is typically in place for up to 72 hours after the last symptoms have resolved with the last resident. Camilla, THP and Peel Public Health will closely monitor to determine when the outbreak can end.

In the meantime, you can continue to connect with your loved one through virtual visits by contacting: camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca or 905-270-0411 extension 242.

Based on feedback from families, we’re happy to announce the option to book in person or window visits with your loved one at Camilla online. The online tool allows you to quickly and easily see availability and choose the time that best suits you. Your request will automatically get booked into the visit schedule so we can prepare for your visit. See attached for a step-by-step guide on how it works. The option to book by phone or email is still available for that want to continue to book a visit that way. As a reminder, due to the gastroenteritis outbreak on the third floor at Camilla, unfortunately, visits with third floor residents are on hold until the outbreak is over.


NEW! An Online Tool to Schedule Your Visit to Camilla Care Community

As a result of feedback from families, we are excited to offer a new way to schedule in-person (indoor and outdoor) or window visits with your loved one at Camilla Care Community. Use the new online booking tool to quickly and easily see and choose available dates and times to visit. Follow the simple steps below to book your visit.

  1. Go to the website here LTC We Connect
    Scroll down to find Camilla Care Community
  2. Click to book the type of visit you want (indoor, outdoor or window)
  3. When the calendar appears, click on the date you choose and all of the available time slots will show for that day.
  4. Once you’ve chosen the date and time, add your contact information and answer the few screening questions. You will receive an email confirmation of the booking.

Families can use the new online tool or book by emailing Camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca OR calling 905-270-0411 ext 242
Visits may be cancelled or moved due to weather or at the residents request.

On August 12 in the evening, Peel Public Health declared a gastroenteritis outbreak (or enteric outbreak) on the third floor at Camilla Care Community. All impacted residents and Substitute Decision Makers have been directly contacted.

While we review and gather more information, as of today, there are five residents with symptoms of gastroenteritis. Given that some symptoms of gastroenteritis are also symptoms of COVID-19, the impacted residents are being tested.

As a result of the gastroenteritis outbreak, a number of infection control measures are in place:

  • The five impacted residents are under contact precautions, which includes not leaving their room.
  • All third floor residents must remain on the floor. Visits and group activities are postponed for third floor residents and they are not able to go outside.
  • Staff working on the third floor will not work on other floors during the outbreak and a dedicated team of providers will work with the impacted residents only.
  • Enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection on the third floor and as well as all high traffic areas in the home has begun.
  • Continued enhanced monitoring of residents and staff in the home will continue.

This gastroenteritis outbreak is typically in place for up to 72 hours after the last symptoms have resolved with the last resident. Camilla, THP and Peel Public Health will closely monitor residents and staff to determine when the outbreak declaration can end.

We recognize this is yet another difficult experience for residents and families. Be assured that we are doing everything we can to manage the situation effectively and keep you informed. As always, reach out to CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca if you have any questions.

We are pleased to advise that beginning Wednesday, July 22, families can schedule in-person, indoor 30 minute visits with their loved one. Indoor visits will take place in the main dining room, set up to accommodate physical distancing.

As we open up the home to visitors, we must do so safely and according to guidelines set by the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care. Please carefully review the provincial requirements for visiting below.

  1. FOR INDOOR VISITS ONLY: Visitors must attest/confirm to having a negative COVID-19 test in the last 14 days. You can get a COVID-19 test at a Trillium Health Partners site that can be found here or search for one closest to you here. You will not be asked to provide documentation of a test, but on entering the building you will be asked to attest that you received a negative test in the last 2 weeks.
  2. All visits must be scheduled in advance to ensure that staff can manage the number of people in the home at any given time, ensure compliance to infection, prevention and control (IPAC) protocols and to clean in-between visits.
  3. Upon arrival at Camilla, you will be asked screening questions, have your temperature taken and for indoor visits, attest to a negative COVID-19 test in the last 14 days.
  4. Visitors must comply with long-term care home infection, prevention and control protocols including hand hygiene and wearing a mask or face covering at all times for outdoor and indoor visits. If you do not have a mask, the home will supply one for you.

Any non-adherence to these rules will be the basis for discontinuation of visits. More information on Ontario government requirements are on their website here.

Who can visit and when?

  • Up to two (2) visitors at a time per resident. Visitors must be 18 years or older to ensure precautions are followed.
  • A visitor can be any family member, close friend or neighbour. It is not restricted to Powers of Attorney/Substitute Decision Makers.
  • Residents have the right to decline a visit at any time.
  • Visits are scheduled 7 days per week at varying times to accommodate all schedules including mornings, afternoons and evenings.
  • One visit per week per resident is permitted to ensure everyone has an opportunity to visit their loved one.

To schedule any type of visit with your loved one, call 905-270-0411 ext. 242 or Camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca. Our goal is to contact you within 48 hours, but we do ask for your patience we have several families wanting to schedule visits.

July 11: We are pleased to advise that effective July 11, in consultation with Peel Public Health, the Camilla Care Community COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over. It has now been 18 days since the last resident tested positive, and 16 days since the last staff member tested positive. A total of 2 residents and 6 staff tested positive for COVID-19 during the outbreak period.

This is positive progress and with it, we will remain vigilant in protecting residents and staff by continuing to follow these precautions to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19:

  • Active screening at the entrance.
  • Team members have their temperatures taken twice per day.
  • Vigilant health monitoring of all residents including temperatures twice per day.
  • Residents are restricted from leaving the home other than for critical treatment.
  • Anyone returning from hospital is tested prior to return and is in isolation for 14 days.
  • Staff will continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

The outbreak being declared over means residents are no longer required to stay in their rooms and they can go to common rooms or the outdoor garden while keeping a physical distance from other residents. We are working with Peel Public Health to resume activities and expand use of shared spaces and will update families when possible.

For residents who were moved as a result of the outbreak, we are working on a plan to move residents back to their room or to a new permanent room as soon as possible and will keep you updated.

Resuming in-person visits at Camilla

With the outbreak declared over, we are implementing a phased approach to resuming in-person visits. As part of the first phase, families can now schedule in-person, outdoor 30 minute visits with their loved one. In-person outdoor visits will begin Monday, July 13 in the afternoon. As families, you play a critical role in the health and well-being of residents, but as we begin to open up the home to visitors, we must do so safely. Based on guidelines set out by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, each visitor are asked to do the following:

  1. Get a COVID-19 test in the last 2 weeks (and not test positive). You can get your COVID-19 test at a Trillium Health Partners site that can be found here or search for one closest to you here. You will not be asked to provide documentation of a test, but when entering the building you will be asked to attest that you have received a negative test in the last 2 weeks.
  2. Upon arrival to Camilla, you will be asked a series of screening questions by home staff, as well as have your temperature taken.
  3. Comply with long-term care home infection, prevention and control (IPAC) protocols, including proper use of face cover or masks.
    1. Visitors should use a face covering if the visit is outdoors. The mask or face cover may not be removed while visiting residents.
    2. Visitors are responsible for bringing their own face covering for outside visits, however if you do not have one, we will supply you with one.
    3. Any non-adherence to these rules will be the basis for discontinuation of visits.

More information on the Ontario government requirements are on their website here.

Visiting at Camilla Care Community will be implemented as part of a phased in approach with Phase 1 effective July 13. See details below.


Type of Visit:

Camilla has created a dedicated, protected area in the garden where visitors can meet with loved ones, while maintaining physical distance. Staff will support the transfer of residents out of and into the home.

Outdoor visiting only as weather permits. In case of heat or inclement weather, we will notify in the morning for visits that day and reschedule.

Number of Visitors* Allowed

One visitor at a time per resident, visitor must be 18 years or older.

  • Visitor is defined as any family member, close friend or neighbour. This is not restricted to Powers of Attorney/Substitute Decision Makers
  • Residents have the right to decline a visit.

Scheduling of Visits Required

Scheduled visits are required to ensure each resident has the opportunity to see their loved ones, and to allow for appropriate physical distancing and staffing coverage.

Time-limited visits allow the staff at the home to accommodate more families/visitors. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time to allow for COVID-19 screening.

How to Schedule

Call 905-270-0411 ext 242 or Camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca
You will be contacted within 48 hours.

Visiting Days and Hours

7 days per week at varying times to accommodate all family schedules, mornings, afternoons and evening spots

Visit Length

30 minutes
*Arrive 10 minutes early for scheduled visit to allow for screening.


When you arrive:

  • We are reserving parking spots near the front door to accommodate easy access and please enter via the side gate (the Hurontario Street side).
  • Please arrive 10 minutes ahead of your visit.
  • These 10 minutes will be used to meet with the greeter for screening, education and signing of the Family Visiting Acknowledgement Form attesting the visitor has tested negative for COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks.
  • Your loved one will be brought to the designated visiting area to meet you.
  • The remaining 30 minutes of your visit will be to reconnect with your loved one.

During the visit:

  • Please wear a face covering or mask at all times.
  • Follow hand hygiene (handwashing or use of hand sanitizer) procedures. Complete when entering/leaving the designated visiting location.
  • Staff will escort you to the designated visiting location if required.
  • Please do not share any food or beverages, or share any items direct with your loved ones. If you would like to leave a personal item for a family member, we ask you follow the standard process of giving to the front desk in a Tupperware so that it can be cleaned.
  • Always keep minimum distance of six feet from others, including your loved one – we recognize this will be difficult, but it is for the safety of your loved one and other residents.
  • Please ensure your visit ends on time to allow for cleaning and the next scheduled visit to begin on time.

Our goal is that every resident who would like to have an in-person visit will be able to do so in the first week. We will constantly re-evaluate how we are supporting residents and families in connecting and will make improvements based on your feedback and public health guidelines.

Virtual visits and window visits will remain available 7 days a week for those who are unable to visit in-person. To schedule a virtual visit, a call or a window visit, contact: Call 905-270-0411 ext 242 or Camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca.

Thank you for your continued support and patience. As always, you can send a message to: CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca with feedback, questions or concerns.

July 3 - In addition to the recently enhanced virtual visit program, as an interim solution to in-person visits, residents and families are welcome to schedule window visits. We will make every effort to extend this beyond special occasions. However, we do not know the level of interest this will generate, so we ask for your patience while we do our best to coordinate requests. To book a virtual visit or a window visit, please contact: camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca or 905-270-0411 extension 242.

Virtual visits have now been expanded – this means that all family members, can now schedule a phone call or video visit with their loved one at Camilla.

To book your visit please call 905-270-0411 ext 242 or email Camilla.connects@siennaliving.ca – someone from the Camilla team will respond to your request within 48hrs.

Virtual visits will be scheduled Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., with limited spaces on the weekends.

As a result of Trillium Health Partners (THP) concerns related to abuse, neglect, incompetent care and questionable deaths and current investigations underway, and with input from the Camilla Acting Executive Director, Sienna Senior Living (Sienna) and the Ministry of Long-Term Care, THP has decided to oversee and direct a formal and comprehensive structured quality review in collaboration and cooperation with Sienna.

The purpose of the review is to systematically check the quality of care received by each resident at Camilla between December 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020. The review team, led by THP, will include Dr. Evelyn Williams, an external reviewer, along with physicians and nurses from outside of Sienna.

Dr. Williams has expertise in leading quality improvement in long-term care in Ontario and is the medical services coordinator for the 10 City of Toronto long-term care homes, Past-President of the Ontario Long Term Care Clinicians, and is an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.

The structured quality review will begin in July and will be completed within 90 days. Before accessing the residents’ personal health information necessary to complete this review and any related investigations, we are seeking the consent of residents, their SDMs or the Executors of the estate. If you are the SDM/Executor for a Camilla resident and have not heard from THP regarding consent, please contact CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca.

Since THP assumed the role of temporary manager, a number of measures have been put in place to protect resident safety, including additional clinical and leadership oversight roles, enhanced infection control measures and ongoing training of current staff. In addition, THP clinical staff and physicians completed a medical and wellness assessment on each resident and updated individual care plans.

The structured quality review will provide further confidence to THP leadership and Sienna that any systemic quality and/or performance issues at the home are identified and addressed. During the course of the review, THP will immediately share any findings related to a specific resident with that individual or their Substitute Decision Maker/Executor. Once the review is complete, a summary of findings will be shared with residents, families, Camilla team members and the MLTC.

As part of our quality review and based on feedback from families on the need to have a trusted, anonymous way to raise concerns, THP is making its confidential reporting system available to staff, residents and families of Camilla for a period of two weeks, from July 10 to July 23, 2020. This reporting system, managed by a third party, can be used to report past and/or present concerns related to care and safety of residents, mistreatment of staff, or any other issues you deem to be inappropriate. Reports can be made online at www.clearviewconnects.com or via phone 1-866-999-8311.

Effective May 31, 2020 the following temporary Camilla Care Community Management Team is in place:

Stephanie Joyce
, Vice-President, Patient Care Services is the THP executive now accountable for the Camilla Care Community. Stephanie is an Occupational Therapist by training, and has 14 years of leadership experience in British Columbia and Ontario, including leading many programs that focus on caring for seniors.

Tracy Richardson, new Acting Executive Director. Tracy is a Nurse by background and has over 13 years in Long-Term Care leadership, including as an Executive Director and as a Ministry Inspector with the Province of Ontario. Tracy will report directly to Stephanie. Two new Acting Directors of Care have been appointed, Sylwia Klimek and Sheryl Papp. They report to Tracy.

Dr. Tamara Wallington, new Acting Medical Director. Dr. Wallington is currently the Chief and Medical Director of Primary Care, Rehabilitation, Complex Continuing Care, Palliative Care and Senior Services with THP.

June 18, 2020

Currently there are three active investigations at Camilla Care Community related to allegations of abuse, neglect and mistreatment. These allegations are being investigated by Peel Regional Police, the Ministry of Long-Term Care and Benard and Associates, a third party who will report findings to Trillium Health Partners (THP).

The initial investigations were related to allegations concerning three residents. At the time, 4 Camilla staff and one THP employee were placed on leave. The THP employee was placed on a leave while the third party investigation reviews the escalation process of this incident.

On June 17, 2020, THP was made aware of new allegations of abuse and neglect at Camilla by the Ministry of Long-term Care inspectors and through incidents being reported directly to us from families. In THP’s role of providing temporary oversight and management of Camilla, we have notified the impacted families and residents, Peel Regional Police, and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario.

Previously the allegations were related to the care of three residents. As a result of this new information from the Ministry there is an additional 11 residents, and two residents through complaints sent directly to us. There are now a total of 16 potentially impacted residents. THP clinicians completed in-depth medical and wellbeing assessments on all residents between June 2 and 3, 2020 and over the next 24 hours THP clinicians will complete additional assessments on the new potentially impacted residents.  

Following an initial review as a result of these new allegations one staff person from Camilla has been placed on a leave of absence, and one agency employee has been restricted from working providing care at Camilla or other Sienna Senior Living homes. There is now a total of five Camilla staff, one THP employee and one agency employee who will not work at Camilla until appropriate investigations are complete. The THP investigations underway will now be expanded to address these recent allegations.

These allegations are deeply concerning, anyone with information is being asked to come forward. You can share concerns anonymously through the Ministry’s Long-term Care Action Line (1-866-434-0144). 

July 9, 2020 – Investigation Update

We launched an investigation around allegations of abuse on May 31, 2020, conducted by a third party investigator Benard & Associates. The investigation substantiated allegations of abuse against three residents. Sienna has taken a number of steps, including staff changes. These allegations were also reported to the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) and Peel Regional Police. Benard & Associates continue their investigation related to the third allegation of resident abuse. We will share the findings on the final areas of investigation when available.

Unreported Respiratory Outbreak – July 9, 2020

We have confirmed several instances between December 2019 and March 2020 of potential respiratory outbreaks that were not reported. Peel Public Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care are aware. Unreported respiratory outbreaks will now be investigated further by Benard & Associates. Any impacted residents have been contacted directly or via their Substitute Decision Makers (SDMs)/Executors of the estate regarding this matter.

June 18, 2020

On June 17, Peel Public Health declared an outbreak at Camilla Care Community as a result of a resident with symptoms and a staff member without symptoms who tested positive for COVID-19 through surveillance testing.

As of today, here is the latest information on the outbreak at Camilla:

  • One confirmed COVID-19 positive resident
  • As part of surveillance testing for staff, 4 team members who are asymptomatic tested positive for COVID-19.

Working closely with Peel Public Health, enhanced precautions were put in place immediately to protect residents and staff. This includes staff wearing additional PPE, contact tracing and testing for anyone who may have been exposed as well as continued enhanced monitoring of residents and staff in the home.

The Camilla leadership team and Peel Public Health are working closely together to continually re-assess and manage the outbreak effectively.

Outbreak Declared – June 17

Peel Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Camilla Care Community (June 17, 2020). The outbreak is being declared as a result of a resident with symptoms and while investigating the case of a staff member without symptoms who tested positive for COVID-19 through surveillance testing.

The resident is not confirmed to have COVID-19, but does have symptoms and out of an abundance of caution the home is being placed on outbreak. As part of surveillance testing for staff, one team member who had no symptoms (asymptomatic) had tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was wearing appropriate PPE while in the home (mask and face shield), and is now at home isolating.

As a result of the outbreak, the home has instituted a number of measures as instructed by Peel Public Health. An outbreak means the home will likely have these enhanced measures for at least 14 days to protect residents and staff. THP and Peel Public Health are constantly re-assessing the outbreak to determine when these enhanced measures can be ended.

THP hosted a Camilla Care Community Town Hall on Wednesday, June 3 and a second event on Wednesday, June 17. Please reach out to CamillaCareSupport@thp.ca if you have questions regarding town hall events.

Click here for the THP’s cover letter and initial management report