Funds stop over risks at aged care home
Leo Shanahan, Canberra
November 4, 2008
A MELBOURNE nursing home that did not adequately report alleged assaults on residents will have an administrator appointed and new funding blocked after it was found to be a serious risk to residents.
The Latrobe Private Nursing Home in Alphington was found to have breached 30 of 44 compulsory safety standards during two surprise inspections by Health Department officials late last week.
Conditions found at the high-care home for 30 people included residents left in positions where they were unable to summon the help of carers, medications not managed properly and wounds not attended to or treated.
There was also found to be a failure to report alleged assaults by staff against residents at the home within 24 hours, as prescribed by legislation. A police investigation into the alleged assaults has begun.
Six staff have been identified as having not undergone compulsory police checks.
Inspectors also found several fire hazards in the building including locked doors and gates leading to evacuation areas, and meals of inadequate size and nutrition.
Nine of the residents are believed to be aged over 90 with one 102 years old.
Latrobe will have an administrator appointed and will not be able to receive funding for new residents from the Commonwealth for six months. The department's aged care homes accreditation agency will also visit the home daily to monitor Latrobe's progress in complying with safety standards.
In September, Aged Care Minister Justine Elliot decided to close down the 55-bed Rosden Nursing Home in East Burwood after a surprise audit found inadequate and dirty facilities breached safety standards.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Age (Melbourne, Australia)
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