Media Statement - 27th August 2007
The release of the assessment report and sanctions on Belvedere Park Nursing Home leave significant questions yet to be answered by the Minister for Ageing.
The sanction report states that there was "Immediate and severe risk to the health, safety and well-being of care recipients including widespread non-compliance across all the Accreditation Standards".
The assessment report states:
- One resident was observed in a semi-recumbent position with the over bed table over his head. The resident was attempting to eat the meal and was observed eating with his/her hands.
- There is a delay to call bell response; some residents call out loudly to attract the attention of staff. However, these calls were also observed to go unanswered;
- The assessment team found a hot water tap only delivering cold water after 9am;
- A resident requiring palliative care is not receiving pain management.
- Seven of 25 residents have lost a significant amount of weight over the last few months.
- The evening meal commences at 4.30pm, meaning that if residents do not have supper that have nothing to eat till 8am the next day – 15 hours later.
- A resident was consistently urinating in a hand basin in community areas.
- Both lifting machines were rusty; one being completely rusty.
- Residents' and relatives stated that the stench in the visitors' toilet was so overpowering it made them vomit.
- Staff attempt to camouflage the oppressive odour with the use of aromatherapy oils.
- The living room is filthy, the carpet is frayed and reeking of urine and furniture is ripped and stained, there is built up grime on the walls and floors and an offensive odour permeates the home.
- Activity resources for residents include childish puzzles including Thomas the Tank engine, activity centre for babies, card games for children and soft toys.
- Tape music for children was also played for the residents. The recording invited the 'children to sing along with the song'.
"The Howard Government is responsible for the standards of care in Australia's aged care facilities. Minister Pyne has to explain how the conditions in this facility could be just so bad, despite the fact the Government has known since at least 2000 that Mr Graeme Menere had an appalling record of aged care provision," Senator McLucas said.
"The Government has failed to ensure the residents were treated with the care and dignity they deserve. This is the worst nursing home I have every heard of, and Mr Menere was also operating the worst nursing home in Australia in 2000. Why wasn't the Government closely monitoring the home for the past seven years? These problems have not occurred overnight. Showering equipment takes time to get to the point of being completely rusty.
"The failure of the Government to monitor the standard of care in Belvedere Park Nursing Home has been a complete failure. Minister Pyne needs to explain why this facility has not been regularly assessed:"
Minister Pyne must answer the following:
- How many spot checks has Belvedere had since it was sanctioned three times in 2000?
- What measures did the Government take to ensure Mr Graeme Menere, a disqualified individual, was not involved in the day-to-day running of Belvedere?
- Has Mr Menere been involved in the day-to-day running of the home?
- How many complaints has the Government received about the home, when were they, and what did the Government do about them?
- When did Saitta, the company that owns Belvedere, receive its Approved Provider status?
- Will Minister Pyne rule out Mr Graeme Menere operating nursing homes in the future?
"Minister Pyne must come clean immediately and explain what the Government been doing over the last seven years to protect the residents in this aged care facility," Senator McLucas said.
"Confidence in Australia's aged care has been seriously eroded due to the Howard Government's inept monitoring of Belvedere Park Nursing Home. "
Kenilworth Nursing Home, once operated by Mr Graeme Menere, had its funding cut off by the Government in 2001 after it was sanctioned by DOHA five times in 2000. At the time it was reported the Federal Government identified Kenilworth as the worst aged care facility in the country.
In 2000 Belvedere Park Nursing Home was also sanctioned three times in for substandard care and putting residents at "serious risk".
The reports are available here: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-rescare-sanctions-sancudvic.htm#belvedere