Taunton mayor calls nursing home violations "inexcusable," demands action

http://www.tauntongazette.com/article/20150811/NEWS/150818942



Taunton Nursing Home administrator John Brennan (left) was the subject of criticism at a public meeting on Tuesday night.

Taunton mayor calls nursing home violations "inexcusable," demands action
Marc Larocque
Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter
Posted Aug. 11, 2015 at 11:43 PM
Updated at 1:03 AM

TAUNTON – The board of directors for the Taunton Nursing Home is now considering a change in management, as Taunton’s mayor and citizens call for answers about “inexcusable” violations that went unreported at the city-owned facility.

“I think that’s something we’ll talk about,” said Theresa Swartz, chairwoman of the appointed board.

The Taunton Nursing Home Board of Directors held a public meeting at the facility on Tuesday night, following the revelation that the Taunton Nursing Home failed to report serious violations to state officials and families. An annual survey in December last year uncovered 17 violations, including several repeat incidents of unsolicited sexual contact by a male resident during a five-month period, and one incident when an elderly resident walked out the building unnoticed late at night.

Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye called the recently disclosed violations “inexcusable” in a letter he issued to the Taunton Nursing Home Board of Directors on Tuesday. Hoye asked the board why there was a delay in the nursing home reporting the incidents in a timely manner.