South Hadley long term care facility under scrutiny

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP)– Employees and two state legislators have made multiple allegations against a South Hadley rehabilitation facility’s owner.

Employees at the Pioneer Valley Health and Rehabilitation say the facility has gone down hill since it was purchased by Blupoint Healthcare five months ago. They say employees have not received paychecks or paychecks have bounced, the facility is understaffed and lacks supplies for cleaning and care of the residents.

Additionally, Pioneer Valley Health owes South Hadley just over $200,000 in taxes, and sewer and trash fees, according to the State House News Service.

Many employees say they are working 60 hour work weeks without pay. The town has also reported lack of essential resources including cleaning supplies leading to extremely unsanitary conditions for residents and employees.

State Senator Jake Oliveira told 22News he has received many complaints about the facility and wants to address the issues. He, along with State Representative Dan Carey, are calling for a formal investigation into what they referred to as “severe conditions.” Staff members have allegedly gone unpaid for the last four weeks causing significant financial hardship for many workers.

“We have been hearing horror stories from within that facility as well and we have heard from many in the community who have had to donate supplies to this facility, and employees themselves taking money out of their own pockets, when they aren’t even getting paid,” said Oliveira. “The residents and staff at the South Hadley nursing home deserve better. Unpaid wages, deteriorating and unsanitary working and living conditions, and clear financial mismanagement by Blupoint have created a dire situation for the employees and residents at Pioneer Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center. We’re calling on the Attorney General and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to launch an official investigation and hold those responsible accountable.”

“This is a terrible situation for the residents, their family members, and the entire staff. Everyone deserves better. I will continue to work to hold those at fault accountable and to bring dignity and respect back to those who so deserve it,” said Rep. Carey.

Senator Oliveira and Representative Carey’s request for a thorough joint investigation by the Attorney General and the Secretary into BluPoint Healthcare’s operations at the Pioneer Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center calls to:

• Ensure that all owed wages to the staff are promptly paid.
• Investigate the unsafe and unsanitary conditions reported at the facility.
• Assess the staffing levels and their impact on resident care and safety.
• Examine BluPoint Healthcare’s financial practices and compliance with contractual and legal obligations to the town and other vendors.
• Provide transparent updates to the Town of South Hadley and the affected parties regarding the investigation and any remedial actions.

Oliveira also told 22News that the State Senate will be talking about a bill this week that will be focusing on the oversight of these types of facilities.

22News has tried contacting Blupoint Healthcare by both phone and email, but they have not returned our requests for an interview or response to the allegations. The company’s home office is located in Needham, Mass. According to their website they have facilities in Amesbury, Athol, Whitinsville and South Hadley.

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