Saskatchewan gov’t officially asks for Parkside Extendicare review

Two weeks after committing to an independent review of the COVID-19 outbreak at Parkside Extendicare in Regina, the Government of Saskatchewan has formally called for the investigation.

In a letter released Friday, Everett Hindley — Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for seniors — called on provincial ombudsman Mary McFadyen to look into the outbreak at the 220-bed care home.

More than 200 staff and residents contracted the virus and 38 residents died. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and Extendicare signed a co-management agreement for the facility in early December.

In the letter, Hindley asked McFadyen to investigate:

• Pre-outbreak infection prevention and control practices, pandemic planning and COVID-19 outbreak preparedness by Extendicare, including the extent to which early learnings from other jurisdictions informed planning;
• Parkside’s adherence to provincial public health orders and guidance established by the Ministry of Health, chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab and the SHA;
• Identification of initial positive cases and the circumstances that led to further transmission of COVID-19 within the facility, including the proper use of personal protective equipment and the impact of the condition of the facility;
• Parkside’s initial response to the positive cases and its subsequent actions, including notification of residents, family or next of kin and the SHA, engagement of residents’ primary care providers, and implementation of infection prevention and control processes;
• The outbreak response by Extendicare up to and including the date when the co-management agreement was signed;
• Parkside’s adherence to The Housing and Special-care Homes Regulations and obligations under its Principles and Services Agreement; and,
• Any other matters McFadyen deems relevant.

The NDP demanded a review be done by the provincial auditor, but that motion was blocked by the Saskatchewan Party in committee. Instead, the government opted to have the ombudsman conduct the investigation.

In a statement Friday, NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat said the government had “failed Saskatchewan families” with its handling of COVID in long-term care homes.

She added the request for the Parkside review doesn’t include any reference to Extendicare’s financial arrangements as a for-profit provider of long-term care.

“It also does not ask the Ombudsman to investigate the role of the Saskatchewan Health Authority or the Ministry of Health, a specific call made by the NDP in committee when we moved a motion calling on the Provincial Auditor to conduct this investigation,” Mowat wrote.

“We respect the Ombudsman and look forward to the results of her investigation. But given the track record of this government when it comes to ignoring recommendations made by the Ombudsman, it is increasingly clear that a full public inquiry will be necessary to get to the bottom of this government’s failure to protect our loved ones.”