Authorities probing claim of abuse by nursing home staff

A video that went viral over the weekend on social media platforms, in which a woman heaps charges of abuse by staff at a nursing home, is being probed by the ministries for health and elder affairs, officials have confirmed.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey confirmed to Barbados TODAY that he has viewed the videos and has already engaged with the senior officer at the ministry’s National Assistance Board on its content.

He also disclosed that there has been ongoing communication between his ministry and the Ministry of Health which oversees nursing homes.

“I am aware that contact was made, and a meeting was scheduled to be executed either [Monday] or [Tuesday]. As it stands, these matters fall under the Chief Medical Officer, but our teams have been working to investigate and resolve as necessary,” the minister said.

The video shows a woman on the outside of a nursing home, levelling allegations that staff abuse the facility’s elderly residents.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George told Barbados TODAY that he is yet to receive reports from his officers investigating the claims made in the video. He said that the probe began on Monday and gave an assurance that a statement would be issued once the probe was concluded.

“Once those investigations are completed, I would be able to make a statement on the matter… but I can’t help you… I don’t have any information; it is being investigated,” said the CMO.