Northumberland County says the new Golden Plough Lodge has reached an important milestone in the process of opening the new long-term care home.
Inspectors from the Ministry of Long-Term Care completed a week-long, in-person inspection of the facility from April 20th to 24th as part of the province’s licensing and approvals process for new homes.
Golden Plough Lodge Administrator Alanna Clark says county staff and project partners worked closely with ministry officials throughout the week to support the inspection and provide access to all areas of the building.
She says the visit follows continued engagement with ministry staff, including a recent virtual tour, to help ensure the highest standards of safety and quality for future residents.
The inspection included a review of resident home areas, building and safety systems, infection prevention and control measures, staffing readiness, and required policies and procedures under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.
Northumberland County says it is now waiting for the ministry’s formal report and detailed recommendations, which are expected within the next week.
In the meantime, staff have already started working on initial actions identified during the process.
These include installing additional handrails and call bells, adjusting lighting, and modifying workflows and policies to better support operations in the new environment.
Once the formal report is received, the project team will prepare a full action plan to address any remaining requirements needed to meet ministry standards and compliance rules.
The County says it expects to report back to the ministry in early June with updated timelines for any final work still required.
At that time, more information about when residents may begin moving into the new Golden Plough Lodge will also be shared.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
