By Mandy Vocke

Supply and demand

Unexpected nursing home closure could be part of a larger issue

Jul 4, 2019 | 4:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE— Waitlists for public nursing homes are long in Prince George, which is why some people, including Kirk Gable’s family, choose private facilities instead.

Gable’s 91-year-old mother had been living at the Enat Complex Care Home for one month before Gable received a surprising phone call.

“It was totally unexpected- 7:30 Friday night on a long weekend,” Gable says. “We got a call from the care home where my Mother was living, telling us they were no longer licensed and that we had to come immediately to pick her up.”

An investigation was underway on Enat Complex Care after a complaint was made regarding quality of care. Northern Health approached the operator on June 28, and implemented conditions on his license. He was unable to meet those conditions, which is why he immediatly shut down the facility.

Northern Health has been working with the families and nine residents affected by the closure. Many are temporarily living in the Gateway Lodge.

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This closure, however, could be part of a larger issue regarding private health care. Northern BC has far less private nursing homes than the Lower Mainland.

“It doesn’t sound like there’s a lot of options in Prince George,” Gable says. “It sounds like there’s more demand than supply.”

CKPG reached out to the owner of Enat Complex Care, but he had no comment at this time. A final report will be available on the Northern Health website in about one month, after the investigation is complete.