1979-01-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

HANCOCK HOUSE NURSING HOME BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING JANUARY 8, 1979 The regular meeting of the Board of Health was held Monday, January 8, 1979 at 7:00 P.M. in Room G-15 of the Town Office Building. Members present were: Dr. William L. Cosgrove, Chairman; James W. Lambie, Dr. Michael S. Erdos and George A. Smith, Director of Public Health . Minutes of the December 4, 1978 meeting were approved as typed. Mr. James Hagarty, representative of the First American Banks and Savings which is the holder of the first mortgage of the Hancock House Nursing Home came before the Board to explain what the bank planned to do with the Nursing Home. He went on to explain that the bank took possession of the facility on October 16, 1978 and has operated the facility since that date with the intent of foreclosure. Mr. Smith said his concern was that we had had several complaints in the past regarding this facility. He said he had been working with Mrs. Munroe, the nurse -director of the facility and some of the problems had been corrected but others still exist. At the present time the State seems to be concerned with the staffing and patient care not up to their require- ments. He said he was concerned with conditions in the indigent ward and that was where most of the complaints came from regarding odors, etc. The reason he asked Mr. Hegarty to come in before the Board was to find out what we can expect in the future. He said we have taken no action on the renewal application until we know what is going to happen. Mr. Hegarty said he understood this concern and he then explained that usually when the bank steps in and takes over a facility of this naute it usually requires a great deal of work to be done. He went on to make it clear that the bank was not in the nursing home business but it was to their advantage to upgrade the facility while it was in their possession. He went on to explain that they were experiencing staffing problems but they would continue to try to get adequate staffing to comply with the State requirements. The State survey team has just completed their report so the bank has started to correct any deficiencies which have been cited. Dr. Erdos asked if this upgrading would bring this facility to a level three and Mr. Hegarty said "Yes". Dr. Erdos asked when the bank would take possession and Mr. Hegarty said they were there now that was the law. Mr. Hegarty said Mrs. Munroe was in charge of the nursing at the facility. Mr. Smith said Mrs. Munroe had always done a good job even though she has been working under duress. Mr. Hegarty said they had been working trying to upgrade the facility and replacing some of the physical equipment before the State came in to inspect. Mr. Smith said both the Fire & Building Departments have made their inspections and found everything okay. The Board and Mr. Hegarty went over the letter written by Mr. Smith