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THE HON JUSTINE ELLIOT MP

Former Minister for Ageing

Australian Government Acts on Victorian Nursing Home

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The Australian Government has imposed sanctions on Islamic Society of Melbourne Eastern Regions Inc, the approved provider of Isomer Retirement Home in Victoria.

PDF printable version of Australian Government Acts on Victorian Nursing Home (PDF 22 KB)

24 June 2010

The Australian Government last night (23 June 2010) imposed sanctions on Islamic Society of Melbourne Eastern Regions Inc, the approved provider of Isomer Retirement Home in Victoria.

The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency identified serious risk to the health, safety and well-being of residents following a Review Audit.

Isomer Retirement Home has 33 residents, 23 who require high level care.

Areas of serious risk identified by the agency included:

  • Ineffective communication methods to ensure residents' clinical care needs are identified and met in a timely manner
  • A lack of adherence to basic procedures and poor documentation
  • Staff do not have the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform their roles effectively
  • Information systems do not support appropriate care planning and identification of resident’ needs, especially for residents requiring a high level of care
  • Residents’ pain, medication and continence issues are not being effectively managed
  • Residents’ behaviours are not being effectively managed to ensure their safety and care needs are being met
  • Residents' nutrition and hydration not being adequately monitored or managed.
In response to the serious concerns, the Department of Health and Ageing has imposed measures to immediately address resident care, including:
  • Revocation of approved provider status unless the approved provider appoints an Administrator with clinical and nursing experience– approved by the Commonwealth for a period of six months; and
  • Cessation of Commonwealth subsidies for new residents entering the home after 23 June 2010 for a period of six months.
The agency will visit the home each day while serious risk remains and the Department of Health and Ageing will closely monitor the home to check that action is taken promptly by the provider.

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

“We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with older Australians, their families, staff, unions and care providers to improve the quality of aged care in Australia,” Minister Elliot said.

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

Details: (02) 6277 7280 or Kathryn Conroy 0448 249 447
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280

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