Rosden Private Nursing Home – Relocation Experts Appointed

The Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot today reaffirmed her commitment to increased unannounced visits by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency – the independent watchdog.

Rosden Private Nursing Home in Burwood East Victoria was yesterday placed under sanctions following an unannounced visit by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

The Government yesterday announced tough action, including:

• Visits by the Accreditation Agency and Commonwealth Nursing Officers;
• Revocation of all places at the nursing home with effect from midday on 1 October;
• Relocating all residents – in conjunction with their families and other nursing homes; and
• No Commonwealth subsidies for new residents.

Mrs Elliot acknowledged relocating residents from Rosden Private Nursing Home was distressing and upsetting, however, it was an unsafe environment and action was warranted.

The Australian Government found safety and personal dignity issues at the nursing home. That is why it acted.

“This is about the safety and welfare of the 55 high-care residents who are very frail, elderly and vulnerable. Of the 55 high care residents, 15 are over the age of 90,” Mrs Elliot said.

The Australian Government has appointed a “relocation expert” – Tender Living Care (Australia) Pty – to help residents and their families identify and select appropriate nursing homes.

Tender Living Care specialises in assisting with nursing home placements and relocations.

In addition, the Department of Health and Ageing will organise medical transport for the residents as well as their belongings and personal items.

Departmental case managers will work with families to provide support and assistance.

Both the relocation experts and the departmental case managers will attend the residents’ meeting tonight (September 25).

The Department has a 1800 078 709 free number for residents and their families.

The Accreditation Agency found that the nursing home had been non-compliant in 17 outcomes out of 44 and identified serious risk to the health, safety and well being of residents.

The issues of concern at Rosden Private Nursing Home include:

• Residents sharing an eight-bed room ward which does not meet minimum privacy and space requirements;
• Inadequate toilet, shower and bathroom facilities for the number of residents which are also being shared by male and female residents, impacting on their privacy and dignity;
• Safety issues including potential fire hazards; potential tripping and choking hazards;
• Dirty communal bathrooms, floors, walls, chairs and equipment;
• Unsafe storage of chemicals; and
• Ineffective security.

The Department of Health and Ageing has already identified more than 90 nursing home beds in the area as possible places for residents being relocated.