Responding to an Opposition complaint that the Ministry of Health and Seniors had been slow in exploring concerns of mismanagement at the Summerhaven residence for the physically disabled, a spokesman last night said investigations dated back to 2015.

However, complaints had “escalated in frequency and severity” since October, culminating in a court order last week for the ministry to intercede.

The spokeswoman said an administrator had been appointed by the ministry for three months in February of this year to address complaints and ensure that Summerhaven registered as a residential care home.

There had been “a positive transition” over to a Summerhaven administrator in May 2016, until the ministry discovered five months later that they had been dismissed, prompting a protest by residents.

The fresh round of complaints brought the ministry to conclude that there was “a serious risk” to residents and make an application to the courts under Section 16(1)(c) of the Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes Act 1999.

Summerhaven’s board is now engaged in recruitment for a new administrator, the spokeswoman said, while the facility’s board remains its legal owners.

The statement also confirmed that John Powell remains chairman of the board.

With the ministry “concerned” about the lack of protection for vulnerable adults, the Government continues to explore establishing an Office of the Public Guardian, a 2015 Throne Speech proposal, that would cover persons in the community as well as those in institutional settings.

“The work has been progressing on the legislation to better protect vulnerable persons and persons in residential care homes, and legislative amendments will be presented shortly.

“In the interim, the Ministry’s Ageing and Disability Services have continued to receive and investigate complaints received to ensure vulnerable persons are protected, and to work with residential care homes to improve standards and care quality.”