A pair of long-term care homes in Guysborough Co. are in new hands.
Officials with the Municipality of the District of Guysborough have sold the Milford Haven Home for Special Care in Guysborough and Canso Seaside Manor to reps with GEM Health Care Group.
The deal closed Tuesday; terms were not disclosed.
After January’s regular council meeting Wednesday afternoon, Vernon Pitts, the warden of the municipality, said they’ve been assured all employees will remain in their current positions.
Pitts said he expects the status quo moving forward.
“Our two administrators are staying in place, all directors are staying in place,” he said. “All environmental services are staying in place, kitchen facilities are staying in place, laundry facilities are staying in place.”
Pitts said they’ve been trying to sell the homes for more than eight years, and they expect good things from GEM reps in the future.
He said residents, their family members, and employees can expect enhancements, not downgrades.
“All I want people to do here is give GEM a chance,” he said. “Let’s have this discussion in six months or 12 months down the road- or hey look, if something happens, let’s have the discussion tomorrow if something negative happens.”
Pitts said selling the facilities made sense, as municipal officials aren’t in the business of health care.
GEM reps, who have been in business since 1979, currently operate long-term care and retirement living facilities in our province and Ontario.
Union reps for some Ontario front-line workers filed complaints against GEM reps and two other employers for criminal negligence and failure to provide proper protective equipment to employees in spring 2020.
Pitts said comparing the situations here and in Ontario are like comparing apples and oranges.
He said GEM facilities in this province have been well-run during COVID-19.
