It will not be business as usual in nursing homes around the island going forward.
This assurance has come from the Chairman of the National Assistance Board, Senator Rev. Dr. David Durant following an emergency meeting at a private nursing home located in Christ Church.
Chairman of the National Assistance Board, Senator Rev. Dr. David Durant . Photo courtesy www.barbadostoday.bb
Speaking in light of the disturbing video being circulated in which an elderly lady is abused, Durant told Loop News:
“This is not right! We cannot be treating old people like this in our country. And people have to be trained, who are in these jobs. I think licenses and all of those things have to be looked at and these homes will have to be monitored more closely in the future.”
After visiting the scene of the incident, where the video was shot supposedly, he disclosed:
“I went to the place, the nursing home. I just came from there. All investigations are underway.
“I have seen the old lady and everything.
“It’s elder abuse. There was physical abuse, as well as emotional abuse and verbal abuse along with psychological abuse. Those are four forms of abuse that we can stick charges to in this instance.”
But in terms of what is next and prosecution, he said:
“I leave that to those police in terms of charges to be pressed; I don’t want to preempt. They went there and we went there as well to the place, so I know they have things under control. I don’t know what they will do from here, but I will just wait and see.”
He assured, “We have it under control.”
The Senator told Loop News that he could not sleep on this issue, and that his investigations into the video began the moment he received it.
Members of the Royal Barbados Police Force along with officials from the National Assistance Board which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development visited the nursing home this afternoon. Article courtesy http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com
