Govt funds clinical nurse adviser team to failed Vic nursing home
The Federal Government has appointed and will fund a clinical nurse adviser team to help the administrator of Bridgewater Aged Care to ensure the quality of care for its 107 residents. They commenced at the home on 27 May.
The Department has also developed a relocation plan, should that become necessary, so that residents could be moved in a safe and orderly way.
The Department has identified 480 potentially vacant beds – if the residents and their family wish to relocate. The Department is in discussion with providers about availability (The Department has identified about 80 vacant beds in the immediate vicinity and another 400 in surrounding areas.)
On Friday, 23 May, Stephen Longley, David McEvoy and Tim Cuming of Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) were appointed administrators for Bridgewater Aged Care.
The Department has set up a dedicated telephone number – 1800 078 709 – for family members and residents to provide information and assistance. Departmental case managers have been assigned to families and are in the process of making contact with them to provide information and assistance.
The Department stands ready to provide further financial assistance, if required, for the care of residents including care and support staff, cleaning, catering and other activities that may be necessary to meet residents’ needs.
The administrators are responsible for the operation of the aged care home and ensuring that residents continue to receive the appropriate quality of care.
In the event that the approved provider is unable to refund residens’ accommodation bonds they will be protected by the Government’s Accommodation Bond Guarantee Scheme.
This Scheme is automatically activated if the approved provider becomes insolvent and there are accommodation bonds overdue for refund.
Similarly, employees’ entitlements are also protected under the General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme.
