The Summerhaven home for the physically challenged has been temporarily taken over by the Ministry of Health and Seniors, citing “a serious risk to the health and wellbeing” of residents, along with “undue hardship or the risk of harm”.

Allegations of mismanagement and mistreatment have come to this newspaper since June 2015, with staff and tenants sharply divided over its chairman, John Powell.

Accompanied by a policeman, ministry officials attended the Smith’s facility yesterday armed with a court order for government-appointed administrators to bring the home back in line with regulations.

Sources said Mr Powell threatened to have residents evicted, and left the premises refusing to allow administrators access to records.

A ministry spokeswoman said complaints over Summerhaven had escalated since October, with investigators concluding “immediate action” had to be taken.

“Contingency plans have been put in place to ensure funding is administered by the ministry to cover staffing and resources at the facility to protect and provide for residents’ safety and wellbeing.”

The Royal Gazette understands that senior magistrate Juan Wolffe gave the order on Wednesday under section 16 of the Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes Act, which permits the Chief Medical Officer to intervene in cases where there appears to be “serious risk to the life, health or wellbeing of the residents in a home”.

Residents and staff have accused Mr Powell, who was unavailable for comment last night, of mistreating tenants who criticised his management — allegations which the chairman refuted, with the apparent backing of Summerhaven’s board.

Mr Powell maintained that, as an independent living facility, Summerhaven left residents free to manage their own affairs, while several occupants claimed they were being bullied, given substandard meals and denied access to transportation.

Glenn Blakeney, a former Progressive Labour Party MP, took the matter before the House of Assembly in November 2015, shortly before his retirement, demanding that Mr Powell be suspended while the ministry investigated allegations.

In February of this year, a new administrator was appointed for Summerhaven under an agreement with the government, with a spokeswoman saying in May that they had “agreed a way forward to ensure compliance with regulated requirements and to protect the safety and wellbeing of residents at the facility”.

One resident, who asked not to be identified, said yesterday’s move had left disgruntled tenants in “a party mood”, adding: “One man who never left his apartment came out and just started crying.”

According to the ministry, the new administrators will remain at Summerhaven “until the ministry is satisfied that the facility is operating in accordance with the Act and Regulations”.