Review audit underway in aged care abuse claims
Federal government regulatory action recently taken over the alleged abuse of residents of a Queensland aged care facility is a reminder to providers that allegations of this nature will be “taken seriously” with a review audit process in place to protect residents.
Senator Mitch Fifield sets a reminder to aged care providers that allegations of abuse will be
The reminder comes from Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, who describes any kind of mistreatment of older Australians in the care of an aged care facility is “completely unacceptable”.
As a result of allegations made against the aged care facility in Bundaberg last month, the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has instigated a comprehensive review of the facility’s operations.
On 26 February, the Department of Social Services (DSS) issued a Notice of Non-Compliance requiring the provider to address identified deficiencies at this facility.
The provider now has 14 days to respond to the Notice, and depending on that response, DSS can issue further formal directions if warranted.
Sanctions can be imposed if the provider does not effectively address these issues.
The Quality Agency’s review was also expanded to include all facilities operated by the Queensland aged care provider.
The Agency has visited each of its facilities over the past week and conducted a full review audit on eight of the nine facilities with an unannounced site visit at the remaining facility.
This approach is part of the Quality Agency’s standard practice in such circumstances.
On 28 February, the DSS received notification of a serious and immediate risk from the Quality Agency in relation to one of the facilities.
As a result, DSS imposed sanctions on the facility immediately.
These sanctions will require the Queensland aged care provider to:
- appoint an adviser approved by the Commonwealth within five days. The adviser will be required to be in place for six months; and
- train staff on blood glucose management, dietary requirements, behaviour management and post-falls management clinical assessment within three months.
The current sanctions will remain in place for up to six months.
Commonwealth law allows for further action, including revocation of provider's approved provider status, if deemed necessary to ensure the ongoing safety of residents.
During this time, the facility will receive no new funding for new residents.
In addition, senior clinical staff of the DSS arrived on site last weekend to work in tandem with Quality Agency Officers to monitor service provision to residents. They will be able to identify and refer any additional concerns to enable further regulatory action to be taken if warranted.
The provider will be required to arrange meetings with all residents and families so they are aware of the process and are supported throughout this time. Departmental officers will attend these meetings which are expected to occur early this week.
“My absolute priority is the safety of residents and, while I do not want to cause unnecessary alarm, a swift response was required,” Senator Fifield says.
The process is continuing with on-site assessments of all facilities now completed.
The Quality Agency will soon finalise their audit reports and recommendations.
The approved provider will then be given an opportunity to respond before the Quality Agency makes accreditation decisions for each home audited.
DSS is also continuing its investigation into the quality of care across the Queensland provider's facilities that commenced last month. The result of this investigation will be made public in coming weeks.
