On March 17, Northampton County Council met to hear complaints about Gracedale Nursing Home.

Current and former employees alike detailed the treatment they have been receiving; additionally, they say their pay and benefits are significantly lower than other nursing homes.

Many employees have been terminated due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19 when they willingly worked through the brunt of the pandemic. Those who are not vaccinated have exemptions that Gracedale does not acknowledge but are recognized by other nursing homes, it was said. Further, many felt they should be able to continue working if they are willing to put their health on the line for their patients.

Because all these employees willing to work are being terminated, they said, it is leaving Gracedale extremely short staffed. This affects both staff and residents. Staff are being overworked and getting burned out, while resident care is suffering, they alleged.

One of the many people who spoke at the meeting detailed how a Gracedale resident had to call 911 to get bedsheets changed.

Gracedale resident Lynn Gerber stated she liked the facility when she first arrived in 2015. However, with the lack of certified staff, she said she was taken care of by a trainee, and the interaction left her feeling humiliated.

In other business, council approved a resolution allocating $1,130,756 for 95 small businesses in the county.

Council will next meet 6:30 p.m. April 21 at the Northampton County Government Center, 669 Washington St., Easton.