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« Parole denied for drunk driver in fatal 2003 crash | Today | Governor appeals ruling he must testify about raid » August 16, 2007Update: Bristol veterans home chief put on leaveBRISTOL -- The administrator of the Rhode Island Veterans Home has been placed on administrative leave, with pay, while the state carries out a review of management issues at the Bristol facility. David Kirchner, who has been administrator since July 1998 and is paid an annual salary of $93,592, was placed on leave yesterday, according to a spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services, which oversees the operation of the nursing home. Charles Ramos, who has been an assistant administrator at the home for many years, has taken on Kirchner’s duties on an interim basis. Ramos is a licensed nursing home administrator. The move follows the public release last month from a special legislative commission studying the home of an interim report that criticized some aspects of its management and operation. The commission, convened by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, found signs of problems in the nursing system, low morale among staff members, antagonism toward residents or their families who complain or challenge established procedures, and abuse of policies concerning the authorized release of information to families. -- Journal staff writer Alex Kuffner The 11-page report, dated July 6, included allegations that the president of the home’s Residents Council had been ordered to take 35 mental competency evaluations in a seven-year period because of his advocacy for residents’ rights and his frequent disagreements with home administrators. It also reported that members of at least two families who had frequently disagreed with resident care had, on separate occasions, been threatened with arrest by home administrators. In its report, the five-member special commission chaired by state mental health advocate H. Reed Cosper cautioned that it had not confirmed the accusations. The commission is set to write a second interim report before issuing its final report in January. Posted by Mike McKinney Commentsevelyn conway | August 16, 2007 7:17 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
It is about time that the Bristol Veterans Home is investigated. When my brother-in-law was transferred there from the VA on Chalkston St. it was against my wishes.
I was appalled at the conditions I observed the patients going through. The facility was preparing for a visit from Sen. Reed and I spoke with a female patient who had many complaints. I asked her why she wouldn't discuss it with Sen. Reed when he visited and she told me that "oh, no, we are warned NOT to mention any complaints to him". I could not see why Sen. Reed could be made aware of the conditions these veterans were forced to live under and I told her that Sen. Reed worked and was paid for by her and the rest of the "clients".
My brother-in-law told me when I brought his Christmas presents that "six people died here last week". He was surprised as I was. However, on the Tuesday after Christmas 1999 BVH called me to tell me that my brother-in-law was on the way in an ambulance to RI Hosp. Within 15 minutes after his arival he died. He was buried on the last day of 1999. For him the WAR was finally over.
My sorrow goes out to anyone who has a veteran to take care of - if they think that there is anyone to help them - think again!