Chartwell St. Thomas Retirement Community
40 Ross Street, St. Thomas ON N5R 0K7 · Retirement Living
Inspection summary
Chartwell St. Thomas Retirement Community has been inspected 7 times by Southwestern Public Health since October 23, 2024. The most recent inspection, on August 20, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.
2 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 13 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Protecting food from contamination and Cleaning and sanitizing.
Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for the people in care. Higher-risk findings are the ones that could directly make someone sick, and they matter more here because young children, older adults and people who are unwell are more vulnerable to infection.
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food, supplies and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2026. For example:
Food premises free of conditions that attract pests
Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk
This covers how food and supplies are stored and handled: kept covered, off the floor, and away from anything that could contaminate them. Where food is served, raw meat must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.
Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2026. For example:
Food protected from contamination and adulteration
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Surfaces, dishes and tools that touch food or people must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected. Inspectors check sanitizer strength, dishwasher temperatures and how cleaning is done. Poor sanitizing lets germs survive from one use to the next.
Recorded once on April 2, 2026. For example:
Acceptable sanitizing method and testing
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2026. For example:
Food premises maintenance
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be made of cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked surface or worn part. They are generally lower risk but show how well the place is maintained.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 20, 2026. For example:
Equipment, utensils and multi-service articles maintenance
About this data
These results come from Southwestern Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
7 inspections
- Required
4 infractions
- Food premises maintenance
- ensure that walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways are readily cleanable and maintained in a sanitary condition
- ensure that furniture, equipment and appliances are so constructed and arranged as to permit thorough cleaning
- Equipment, utensils and multi-service articles maintenance
- ensure equipment and utensils that come into direct contact with food are corrosion resistant and non-toxic, and free from cracks, crevices and open seams
- Food premises free of conditions that attract pests
- ensure premises free from conditions that could lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
- Food protected from contamination and adulteration
- ensure all food is protected from contamination and adulteration
- Food premises maintenance
- Required
4 infractions
- Food premises maintenance
- ensure that walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways are readily cleanable and maintained in a sanitary condition
- ensure that the ventilation system is maintained to provide for the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat
- Equipment, utensils and multi-service articles maintenance
- ensure that all equipment, utensils and multi-service articles are of sound, tight construction, kept in good repair, capable of being cleaned and sanitized, and suitable for its intended purpose
- Acceptable sanitizing method and testing
- ensure that the method of sanitization is appropriate.
- Food protected from contamination and adulteration
- ensure all food is protected from contamination and adulteration
- Food premises maintenance
- Required
5 infractions
- Food premises maintenance
- ensure that walls and ceilings of rooms and passageways are readily cleanable and maintained in a sanitary condition
- ensure that the ventilation system is maintained to provide for the elimination of odours, fumes, vapours, smoke and excessive heat
- Food premises free of conditions that attract pests
- ensure premises free from conditions that could lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
- Food protected from contamination and adulteration
- ensure all food is protected from contamination and adulteration
- Food purchase records
- Food handler prevents contamination of food
- ensure every food handler washes hands as often as necessary to prevent the contamination of food or food areas
- Food premises maintenance
- Required
0 infractions
- Follow-up
0 infractions
- Required
2 infractions
- Food premises maintenance
- ensure that furniture, equipment and appliances are so constructed and arranged as to permit thorough cleaning
- Food premises free of conditions that attract pests
- Food premises maintenance
- Required
1 infraction
- Food premises free of conditions that attract pests
- ensure premises free from conditions that could lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.
- Food premises free of conditions that attract pests