Ministry launches investigation into death at senior citizens home

The Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs has launched an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unnatural death of a female resident of the Vauxhall Senior Citizens Village, Vauxhall, Christ Church, yesterday evening.

Minister with responsibility for Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde, today expressed regret for the incident which led to the death of 69-year-old Martha Doyle, who lived at Unit 3A at the facility.

Minister Forde said: “I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Ms Doyle and to the residents and staff of the Vauxhall Senior Citizens Village.  As we await the outcome of the investigations, both by the Royal Barbados Police Force and ourselves, we have taken immediate steps to provide counselling, facilitated by Network Services, for the residents and staff.”

The Minister said that she had been assured by the Royal Barbados Police Force that they had been pleased with the response of the security on site, adding: “I would wish to assure the families of residents at the Village, as well as the general public, that we give high priority to ensuring safety at all our facilities including this centre, and if necessary, even further steps will be taken to safeguard the continued welfare of residents.”

The Vauxhall Senior Citizens’ Village is home to 38 residents, 19 men and 19 women, aged 46 to 83 years old. It provides housing for independent living as well as persons who require assistance. (BGIS)

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  • @Honestly - Mind u then we will get some big costly time consuming investigation or enquiry which leads to nowhere. Was there not another woman who died a couple yrs back.
    ?neglect/ Abu$e.

  • @JENNFER,Loads of questions from the little that has been told this facility appear to cater for adults of varying age groups which would arouse suspicion as to the type of clients being house there.Is it a mix of Residential,Nursing,Mental Health and Pysically Challenge,because right here you have a cocktail for disaster.Residential,Nursing and Pys C could work but not M.H.See when proprietors take on these projects just as a means of being a cash cow then you cannot exspect there to be any quality in the service offered.Staffing levels,skill mix of staff on duty at any given time and Staff training are all very important factors here.Clients admitted for nursing care,they then develop mental health issues should not be living in that environment any longer because their needs cannot be met.

  • So many questions. Where was the staff. Are the staff trained in conflict resolution, mediation etc. Was there previous conflict? Was there a history of mental Illness. etc, etc.

  • wait i though that the senior citizens home is for old ppl I did not no that ppl at 46 years old live in that home to.

  • It is time that government regulate these senior and nursing homes. The fact that many of these residents are unable to communicate and describe the conditions and care given to them, must be take as national emergency.
    These homes are just sprouting up all over Barbados willy nilly, without any sort of control.

    The death of this resident must be the last at these institutions, and Minister Forde, must come down hard on those found lacking.

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