Greater scrutiny needed in aged care

The HSU has called for tougher policing of aged care facilities after another example of staff and residents being let down by the federal government's inadequate scrutiny of the industry.

HSU Victorian secretary Jeff Jackson, said the government agency that monitors residential facilities, The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, had just released a damning report on Viewhills Manor in Melbourne.

The report found resident care was being affected by understaffing which had led to violent incidents, residents absconding and inaequate care. Only 33 out of 44 accreditation standards were being met.

But the report came just six months after the home was judged to be complying with all 44 accreditation standards in a glowing report.

Mr Jackson said that the new report had shown that residents living in the high care dementia ward had been left alone and unattended for long periods of time and that serious behaviour management issues existed at the home.

One resident had threatened to kill other residents and staff and another needed to be hospitalised after being found with his face covered in blood.

Staffing levels were so bad that one staff member was left alone overnight to look after 60 residents.

"It is a disgrace that the serious lack of staffing and staff safety concerns at Viewhills were not picked up earlier.

"These dramatically different results only months apart clearly show there is something desperately wrong with the way the Howard Government monitors aged care facilities.

Mr Jackson said that Viewhills dramatic change in fortunes was due to the advanced warning homes were given when they had planned accreditation visits like the one earlier in the year.

"Planned visits give homes like Viewhills far too much time to clean up their act and every opportunity to fake their way through audits.

"I am seriously concerned that other Victorian homes are temporarily glossing over similar problems resulting in residents being unmonitored for up to three years.

Mr Jackson called on the Federal Aged Care Minister, Julie Bishop to immediately intervene and address these serious concerns - starting with Viewhills Manor.

"The Howard Government's flawed audit process must be changed so that families are re-assured that their loved ones are safe and that carers have the support they need to give senior Victorians the care and respect they deserve."

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© 2003 Health Services Union (HSU)
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Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 17:18:59 EST