The Summerhaven Trust has withdrawn all allegations against former Administrator Ianthia Simmons-Wade.

After a dispute lasting almost two years, Mrs. Simmons-Wade was "exonerated" of accusations of financial mismanagement by her former employers.

In a joint statement yesterday, the Trustees of Summerhaven Trust and Mrs. Wade said: "The parties are pleased to confirm that they have reached an amicable resolution of claims between Summerhaven and Ianthia Simmons-Wade, and Summerhaven has unreservedly withdrawn all allegations and claims against Mrs. Simmons-Wade.

"Summerhaven would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Simmons-Wade for her 22 years of commitment and service to Summerhaven."

Mrs. Wade, the widow of former PLP leader Freddie Wade, was suspended by the Board in May 2008, on suspicion of financial mismanagement. Her employment was terminated a month later, after 22 years as Administrator.

In September 2008, Government released the results of an internal audit into the facility for the physically handicapped, which found "numerous inefficiencies, deficiencies and irregularities" in its accounting procedures.

However, it found no financial mismanagement by Mrs. Wade, and Government ordered the Board to reinstate her. Summerhaven was said to have complied with the terms set by Government for the use of its grant for the previous two years.

Acting Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Nelson Bascome, added that Mrs. Wade was "removed from her post without the benefit of due process".

However the report recommended improved accounting procedures and greater communication between the Administrator and the Board of Trustees, with a quarterly meeting to discuss operations and finances.

Despite this, John Powell, chairman of the Board of Trustees and acting Administrator, said the dispute with Mrs. Wade was "ongoing", with the Police called in to investigate.

In August 2009 however, the Bermuda Police Service closed the investigation, saying there was "insufficient evidence to place any person before the courts".

Mrs. Wade reported her dismissal to the Department of Labour and Training and the matter was due to go before an employment tribunal.

Last night she did not wish to comment on the resolution of the dispute. However, her lawyer Delroy Duncan told The Royal Gazette: "She is happy the matter has now been settled. The statement demonstrates she has been exonerated."

He said: "There was a Labour Relations hearing scheduled and we did appear before the Labour Relations Board, only to inform them the matter has been settled.

"The matter has been settled in a confidential settlement agreement."

Summerhaven, in Smith's, was established in 1982 as an independent living complex. It houses 18 physically handicapped residents and receives $500,000 a year in Government funding and $600,000 from the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

In October last year, Government announced an independent review of the facility by a long-term care ombudsman from the US, Glenn Wachter.

Acting Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Michael Scott said the review was in response to "concerns raised" by staff and residents in the past few years.

Health Minister Walter Roban also pledged the findings would be made public, however to date only a 'Summary and Recommendations' of the report has been released.

It concluded that the Summerhaven Trust was "not effective at caring for its ageing and largely dependent resident population".

Among Mr. Wachter's recommendations were the purchase of basic diagnostic equipment, staff training in CPR and first aid, and caregivers posted on duty to all shifts. He also called on the facility to "immediately require the discontinuation of allowing staff to sleep on the night shift".

Mr. Powell said last month this situation had now "been corrected" but that it had been in practice for more than 20 years.

Government has made compliance with the review's recommendations a condition of Summerhaven receiving any further funding.

Mr. Roban said: "We have requested that the Summerhaven Board address these matters if it is their expectation to continue to receive Government financial support."

The facility had to implement eight of the recommendations by March 15 last Monday.

By April 15 it must also have proven to be documenting the "precise care needs" of all residents, with a quarterly review.

It must also show the Board has made "significant progress" in recruiting a permanent Administrator.

In the meantime the Board is modernising the property, removing old bathtubs and installing shower stalls. There are plans for a gym plus new initiatives to encourage more sports.

The Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation will also make unannounced quarterly inspections of the complex for the next two years.