PDF printable version of Raffin Place – Queensland Nursing Home (PDF 24 KB)
15 December 2008
On December 13, the Australian Government imposed sanctions on Raffin Place, a Queensland nursing home – citing serious risks to the health of residents at the facility.
The sanctions follow a comprehensive review audit last week by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
Raffin Place was officially placed under sanction on December 13 and the sanction is set to expire on June 12, 2009.
Raffin Place is a 120 place – 66 high care and 56 low care aged care service at Calamvale and the approved provider is Domain Aged Care No. 2 Pty Ltd. (There are currently 117 residents; with 24 aged over 90.)
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency identified serious risks to residents, including:
- Inadequate supervision of staff practices;
- Inadequate nourishment and hydration;
- Failure to identify, monitor and respond to unplanned weight loss;
- Failure to refer residents to appropriate allied health professionals including dieticians; and
- Some residents with allergies received food and fluids to which they were allergic.
As part of the Government’s response, a range of measures have been put in place including:
- Accreditation Agency assessors are to be on-site daily until the serious risk is mitigated;
- Department of Health and Ageing staff to continue to closely monitor the nursing home;
- Appointment of specialist Nurse Adviser for six months to ensure immediate changes are implemented to improve the quality of care to residents; and
- No Commonwealth funding for any new residents for six months.
The nursing home is now organising a meeting for the family and residents this week to inform them of the situation at the facility.
“We make no apologies for placing a nursing home under sanction. This is about the protection and the welfare of frail and aged Australians,” Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot said.
There are currently sanctions imposed on 15 nursing homes in Australia; five of them are in Queensland.
Anyone with concerns about the care or welfare of residents should immediately contact the Department of Health and Ageing’s Complaints Investigation Scheme on
1 800 550 552.
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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