NEWFANE, NY (WKBW) — The New York State Health Department tells 7 Eyewitness News it is investigating the Newfane Rehab and Health Center.
WKBW received a newsroom tip that a patient allegedly raped another patient around May 18th at the facility in Niagara County.
We reached out to the State Health Department and they issued a statement saying it has launched an immediate investigation.
“The New York State Department of Health takes these disturbing allegations with the utmost seriousness. Upon learning of this incident, we immediately opened an investigation. As this is an ongoing investigation we cannot comment further."
New York State Police Public Information Officer James O'Callaghan tells us the state police have "no record of the incident" at this time.
The New York State Attorney General's Office tells 7 Eyewitness News they are "aware of the allegations and are taking steps to make sure all residents are safe."
This is the second investigation launched into an alleged patient on patient rape at a Western New York nursing facility, the Gowanda Rehabilitation and Health Center in Gowanda.
The health department also issuing additional information indicating that under state law, all nursing care facilities are required to report all sexual abuse incidents.
Additional information:
- Federal regulations are in place to protect nursing home residents from abuse. Staff must work diligently to prevent such occurrences by monitoring behavior of residents and regularly reviewing internal strategies for the prevention of abuse.
- Under current laws and regulations, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are required to report all incidents of sexual abuse and assault to the Department of Health and law enforcement.
- Public Health Law Section 2803-d covers the reporting of abuses of persons receiving care or services in Residential Health Care Facilities: https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2016/pbh/article-28/2803-d/
