Mice in Qld nursing home – Accreditation Agency investigates

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has ordered the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency to conduct a major investigation into the procedures and processes at a Queensland nursing home where there have been reports of nursing home residents being bitten by mice.

The investigation would examine:

• How the nursing home responded;
• Actions taken to protect residents; and
• Recommendations to improve procedures and processes.

On 28 and 29 April, the Accreditation Agency conducted an official visit to a Queensland nursing home run by Queensland Health.

The assessment team is still finalising their report.

“I have now asked the Accreditation Agency to conduct a separate investigation into the home’s handling of the incident involving the resident and the management of the mouse plague’s impact on the home,” Mrs Elliot said.

Mrs Elliot said while Queensland Health and the nursing home, Karingal Nursing Home, report that they are handling the situation, the Department of Health and Ageing will take further action if necessary.

“My immediate concern remains for the health, safety and well being of residents living in the home,” Mrs Elliot said.

“These reports are extremely disturbing and traumatic for residents and their families. I have ordered the Accreditation Agency to investigate the incident,” Mrs Elliot said.

Karingal Nursing Home is an 80 bed aged care facility. It has 70 high care residents and 10 low care residents. The home has 22 residents over the age of 90 years of age.

In the 2007-2008 financial year, the nursing home received $ 2.44 million in recurrent subsidies.