Minister announces 1,000 unannounced visits to nursing homes
By 2 October, the independent Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency has conducted a record 1,001 unannounced visits, the Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has announced.
She has set a minimum target of 3,000 unannounced visits this financial year.
The 1,001 unannounced visits were conducted between 1 July and 2 October, resulting in action on six nursing homes, including five sanctions.
Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (1 July to 2 October)
NSW/ACT 333
VIC 296
TAS 30
SA/NT 100
QLD 141
WA 101
Total 1,001
In addition, the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) has conducted 391 unannounced visits for the same period.
NSW/ACT 86
VIC 99
TAS 12
SA/NT 85
QLD 101
WA 8
Total 391
Currently, there are 11 nursing homes under sanction, out of a total of nearly 3,000 aged care homes around Australia.
There have been six instances where the DoHA has taken compliance action as a result of the unannounced visits during this period.
In five cases, the DoHA imposed sanctions at: Kirralee Aged Care Facility, Victoria; Parkdale House, Victoria; Lakes Entrance Aged Care Facility, Victoria; Sir James Terrace, Queensland; and Rosden Private Nursing Home, Victoria.
(The DoHA also issued a Notice of Non-Compliance on Brighton Aged Care, South Australia, as the result of an unannounced visit.)
The Accreditation Agency has a set of ‘at risk factors’ to identify nursing homes for further unannounced visits.
They include:
- existing non-compliance problems in any of the areas of the 44 standards, including nutrition and hydration;
- the number of complaints against a facility;
- the known financial difficulties or business restructuring;
- a change of approved provider;
- major changes in key personnel and senior staff;
- ambitious building programs; and
- a sudden change in resident population and mix of residents.
