Regulator ‘intends’ to issue licence to reopen Hamilton-area retirement home affected by COVID-19

The body that oversees retirement homes in Ontario is expected to reactivate the licence of an east Hamilton retirement home ordered closed a year ago due to a large COVID-19 outbreak.

The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) says it “intends to issue a licence” to a new owner of the Rosslyn retirement home with conditions, including no decision-making authority from previous owners.

The applicant is listed as Laura Philp, according to the regulator’s database.

Five other conditions are expected to be met, says the RHRA, including the acquisition of experienced management from a licensed retirement home in Ontario and approval from the regulator that the home is clean and well-maintained.

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The Rosslyn retirement residence was evacuated on May 15, 2020, during a coronavirus outbreak that impacted 64 residents and 22 staff, and left 16 dead.

The home was just one of seven licences retained by members of the Martino family, which owned the Royal Crest Lifecare, that were revoked by the RHRA, including Cathmar Manor, Dundas Retirement Place, Montgomery Retirement Home and Northview Seniors’ Residence.

READ MORE: Appeal hearing for Hamilton’s Rosslyn retirement home adjourned to 2021

Greycliff Manor in Niagara Falls and Sheridan Lodge in Brantford were the other homes affected.

All six of those homes have licences with conditions still pending. The approval criteria involves information on the financial stability and operational ability of the homes and the operators.

Dundas, Montgomery, and Northview are currently in receivership and the court is supervising a sale process.

The regulator is awaiting more from the Sheridan Lodge applicants in regards to the ability to meet licensing criteria set out in the Retirement Homes Act.

The RHRA expects to approve the permits when the sale of each home is confirmed.

“While these notices are not themselves licences to operate, the Registrar intends to issue licences to operate these homes as retirement homes with certain conditions imposed to ensure residents have the protection they need to live in a safe environment with confidence and dignity,” RHRA spokesperson Phil Norris told Global News.

Global News has reached out to a lawyer for the Martino family to request comment from the licensees of the homes impacted by previous revocation orders.