Interior Health extends appointment for administrator responsible for Merritt long-term care home The Florentine

Photo: Contributed

Interior Health has extended the appointment of the administrator running a Merritt long-term care home — a role arranged after numerous failed inspections occurred under the former operator.

Matt Renfrew, the site administrator, was initially appointed by Interior Health on March 23 to run day-to-day operations at The Florentine.

According to a statement from Interior Health, the board reached the decision to extend the appointment after receiving recommendations from medical health officer Dr. Carol Fenton, and reports from Renfrew.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said he strongly supports the decision to keep the administrator on board for now.

“The care and safety of those living at The Florentine is our upmost commitment,” Dix said in a statement.

According to Interior Health, the operator made the decision to start a 12 month notice period with the intent of closing down long-term care operations at The Florentine.

The administrator’s term has been extended until operations officially end.

Among other duties, the administrator is responsible for overseeing and supporting care planning and delivery, staff recruitment, orientation and education and compliance with standards of care.

Interior Health said Renfrew is an “experienced health-care leader with expertise in long-term care.”

Renfrew has managed clinical operations at Kamloops’ Overlander long term care home since 2013.

Prior to the site administrator’s appointment, Interior Health said The Florentine had 19 outstanding Interior Health infractions. Eight of these infractions were deemed critical in nature, with one of the infractions related to outbreak prevention.

The Florentine is a privately owned long-term care home with 20 independently funded beds.

According to Interior Health, there is an assisted living section of the site which falls under a separate jurisdiction.

The assisted living site is not subject to actions being taken at the long-term care section of the facility.