Family wants answers after inappropriate photos taken of man in Baie Verte long-term care home

Central Health is investigating allegations a staff member took inappropriate pictures of at least one patient in the long-term care unit at the hospital in Baie Verte. 

"We deeply regret that this incident occurred and understand the tremendous upset and hurt this has brought upon the residents and their families," wrote Central Health spokesperson Gayle St. Croix in an email to CBC News, responding to questions about photos being taken of residents without their consent.

"We would like to reassure our patients, residents and their families that the matter has been handled.… The appropriate authorities have been notified and any risk to residents has been mitigated," St. Croix wrote. 

She did not answer questions about whether any staff have been dismissed because of the incident. St. Croix also did not answer questions about how many patients were photographed, or what was photographed.

The RCMP in Baie Verte are investigating one photo "to determine if any criminal act has occurred," according to a statement from the police, who wouldn't provide details on what the picture detailed.

Family wants accountability

Despite a lack of clarity on what, exactly, the pictures show, the situation has Bernice Barker calling for accountability from the health authority. 

She says her family was told by Central Health someone took inappropriate pictures of her husband, 64-year-old Rick Barker.

He has Huntington's disease, and his condition now requires 24-hour care in the long-term care unit at the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre.

Barker did not speak with Central Health herself, but says her son received a call from the regional health authority in mid-September informing the family that photos had been taken of Barker and that immediate action had been taken. CBC News has been unable to reach Barker's son.

It's not clear whether the pictures of Barker are the pictures RCMP are investigating, but his wife said she believes a criminal act has taken place.

"Charges should be laid, and I'm hoping they will be laid because I am not stopping until I have justice for my husband," she said.

Family man struck down 

Until six years ago, Rick Barker was living at home and enjoying life with his wife and family.

Bernice Barker described her husband as "the most kind, loving human being that God could have ever created, an amazing husband and father and grandfather."

But the progression of Huntington's disease — an inherited, degenerative brain disorder — meant that he had to be moved into long-term care. It was a hard blow to him and his family, according to his wife.

But she says they never could have imagined what was to come, with her vulnerable and helpless husband being degraded by someone on staff taking inappropriate photos.

"He's in the late stages of Huntington's, unaware of what's going on around him," said Barker. "To have somebody there that's incapacitated, and to have that image in your mind of somebody standing there with a camera, making light of his condition when he has no idea what's happening to him, it's brutal."

Seeking answers

Barker said the family has more questions than answers about who took the photos, where the photos were shared, and what action has been taken against the staff members responsible.

"I'm hoping beyond hope that the people that are at the forefront of this have been dismissed from their jobs. I certainly hope none of these accused or people involved are anywhere near my husband," she said.

Barker said she's also concerned about whether the photos will resurface somewhere.

"Most certainly I am concerned where those photos have ended up. With social media today, there's so many outlets for this stuff," she said. "Who knows where this may have ended up?"

"I will be the voice for my husband, because this is wrong on all levels," said Barker. 

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador