Summerhaven: mismanagement claims dismissed
Battle lines have been drawn over allegations of mistreatment and mismanagement at Summerhaven, but staff and residents have also rallied behind John Powell, its chairman.
Mr Powell dismissed allegations raised by Progressive Labour Party MP Glenn Blakeney, who renewed his offensive against the chairman in Friday’s House of Assembly.
Meanwhile Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, told MPs she had visited Summerhaven.
She said an investigation was under way with a view to making changes at the residence for the disabled. Six members of staff at Summerhaven wrote to this newspaper in response to allegations, calling the accusations absurd and untrue.
“We work very closely with the residents on a daily basis and do not witness any form of abuse,” the letter added.
The staff said they bought items for residents, knowing that their income was limited, pointing out that the facility is classed as an independent living residential home.
Ms Atherden told Parliament that part of Summerhaven’s difficulties came from its classification: “There are questions about how it can be regulated and under what Act,” she said.
She protested Mr Blakeney’s remarks during the motion to adjourn, telling him she disagreed with “he-said she-said allegations, because there is always another version”.
Mr Blakeney demanded to know why the residents’ rent was being paid directly to Summerhaven from Financial Assistance, leaving residents with “no financial support to cover such expenses as food, laundry, personal care items and health coverage”.
Calling for a “full investigation, with Mr Powell either suspended or not there”, Mr Blakeney said Mr Powell’s dual role as chairman and day-to-day facility manager represented a conflict of interest, adding that he used “intimidation tactics” on residents.
Mr Powell told The Royal Gazette that any issues raised by Summerhaven were addressed by the facility’s board, expressing disappointment that Mr Blakeney had not contacted him.
He conceded that the MP’s complaints about the facility’s appearance had come at a time while it was under renovation.
“The place is 30 years old and it’s in bad need of renovation,” he said.
“We got one room empty and we completely renovated it. We’ll move people into that room while we renovate their rooms. Right now we have 13 residents and we are not taking anybody else in until we get them all renovated. There’s a lot of work to do.”
Summerhaven has now acquired its own nurse, he said, and a government dietitian has helped coordinate a menu.
Any resident with a complaint had recourse to Summerhaven’s board. Mr Powell added: “If they’re not happy with a decision made by management, there is an avenue to follow, which is the board.”
He said no complaints had gone to the board since he was last approached by this newspaper in June.
A group of four residents, who asked not to be named, vouched for Mr Powell’s running of the facility.
“It’s politics,” said one man, who is wheelchair-bound from muscular dystrophy.
“Some people might have gripes with the administration, but if I have a problem I go to the office and talk about it.
“I would rather see them sit down and iron it out.”
He said Summerhaven residents prided themselves on taking care of themselves, and said that as a diabetic he managed his own medication and diet.
“You can see how divided people are down here — one group gets on, one group does not. Mr Blakeney needs to talk to all the residents, not just a few of them.”
Another resident said: “This place does not fall in under the rest homes. Social services says we’re a nursing home. But it was built for independent living. We look after ourselves.”
Elizabeth Richardson, who has served as an inspector for decades and now serves on the board, told this newspaper: “The same people have complained forever. They’re never happy.
“The premises here is very nice, and over the years I have seen the work Mr Powell has done to upgrade it. I’ve seen the improvements.”
Ron Davenport is a new member of the Summerhaven board whose role will be to represent residents.
Paralysed in a fall, Mr Davenport was chosen to “conduct regular meetings with residents and bring their concerns back to the board”, chairman John Powell said.
“Because he has lived here and is in a wheelchair, we feel residents will be able to relate to him.”
Mr Davenport’s selection as a representative for residents was questioned by Opposition MP Glenn Blakeney, who queried how a non-resident could represent the people of Summerhaven.
“Moreover, how could he speak for residents in good conscience as a non-resident that sits on the board that Powell chairs?” he added.
Mr Davenport said that as “an outside person that had lived there”, he could serve as a liaison between residents and the board.
“I could act as an advocate for residents, so they could be make themselves heard, as opposed to running to the newspaper,” he said. “If there are problems, you could have a meeting with everybody. Keep minutes, just like a regular meeting, and take it to the board, then come back to the residents with it. It’s basically a democratic process and no one person is controlling everything, but there are always going to be differences of personality.
“I think what we have is a few people that want things a certain way and can’t get it, so they complain.
“What we need is more discussion. So I think what’s going on right now is good, even though it’s derogatory toward Summerhaven.”
Mr Davenport only recently became disabled, after a severe fall in March 2014.
“Even though I don’t live there, I am disabled,” he said. “Instead of letting my injury be a problem, I’m going to use it as a way of helping people.
“People don’t understand that a facility like Summerhaven should encourage criticism. It makes you look at what you’re doing, and question if the mission of Summerhaven is being carried out.”
