Australian Government acts on Victorian Nursing Home

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23 October 2009

The Australian Government last night imposed sanctions on Doutta Galla Aged Care Services Ltd, the approved provider of Lynch's Bridge Aged Facility in the Melbourne suburb of Kensington.

The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (the Agency) identified serious risk to the health, safety and well-being of residents in the home.

Issues of concern include:

• A lack of appropriately skilled staff to ensure residents’ clinical care needs are identified and met in a timely manner;
• Information systems not supporting appropriate care planning and identification of resident’s needs;
• Pain not being effectively managed; and
• Behaviours not being effectively managed.

Lynch’s Bridge is a 57 bed facility. There are currently 55 residents of which 38 require high care management.

In response to the serious concerns, the Department of Health and Ageing has enforced a number of measures to immediately address resident care, including:

• The approved provider to appoint an experienced nurse adviser– approved by the Commonwealth for a period of six months; and
• Cessation of Commonwealth subsidies for new residents entering the home for a period of six months.

The approved provider has nominated a nurse advisor and the Agency will visit the home daily until the serious risk is addressed.

Minister Elliot said: “When aged care providers fail to meet their responsibilities the Government will act to protect our frail and elderly citizens.

“This Government is committed to continuing to work in partnership with older Australians, their families, staff, unions and providers to improve the quality of aged care in Australia.

“The Rudd Government is committed to improving the care and quality of Australia’s nursing homes and its residents,” Minister Elliot said.

The majority of residential aged care services provide high quality care to their residents with sanctions currently in place on seven of Australia’s nearly 3,000 aged care homes.

Anyone with concerns about the care or welfare of residents in an aged care facility should immediately contact the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme on 1800 550 552.

For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280

 

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