Nursing home back under scrutiny after sexual abuse claims
By Jonathan Dart
October 24, 2008
THE Aged Care Commissioner has been ordered to reopen an inquiry into allegations of abuse at a Central Coast nursing home.
Members of the Federal Government's reference group into sexual assault at aged-care homes called yesterday for tougher screening of prospective workers, after two staff at the Peninsula Village home at Umina Beach were sacked amid allegations of sexual abuse.
The Herald yesterday reported that a third complaint was lodged against the home in July last year outlining claims of physical abuse.
Susanne Matthews said her 84-year-old mother, who has dementia, was slapped by a nurse in 2005. A Department of Health report on the incident found the home had not breached its duty of care.
The Ageing Minister, Justine Elliot, has asked the Aged Care Commissioner, Rhonda Parker, to reopen the inquiry.
Ms Elliott said: "I recognise that this must be a very difficult time for the residents and their families as these are very serious allegations. But … my main priority is the safety and welfare of residents. They always come first."
Ms Matthews welcomed the inquiry and said it would allow her family to obtain "closure". "We've cried our eyes out," she said. "We have been so stressed for four years … We're so happy that something is finally being done for Mum - we can be at rest that now it's being addressed."
The Department of Health also conducted an unannounced site visit at the nursing home to check whether the necessary police checks had been made on staff, as required under the Aged Care Act.
Under new legislation effective from July 1, all aged-care facilities are required to undertake the checks on all staff members.
But Maria Attard, a member of the Government's Sexual Assault in Disability and Aged Care Action Strategy panel, said existing laws need to be tightened to provide extra protection for residents.
"There are lots of incidents that you don't find out about and some that don't satisfy the burden of proof in court," Ms Attard said. "A lot of women with dementia are just not trusted because people don't believe you could sexually assault someone with a disability."
The chairman of Peninsula Village, Darrell Pannowitz, said he was pleased with the department's site inspection.
"The three assessors held an exit interview with our CEO, which was very complimentary," he said. "In the five years or so that I've been a member of the board there has never been any case of neglect or abuse found against the village."
SOURCE: Sydney Morning Herald
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