HSU Calls For Answers Over Terrible Conditions in Nursing Home

The Health Services Union has questioned why tougher action has not been taken against the operators of a Victorian nursing home despite government inspectors finding it in such a terrible state that the health and safety of residents and staff was at immediate risk.

The report by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, which has not been publicly released, found Tangerine Lodge at Mount Martha was so bad that it failed 33 of the 44 accreditation standards. The home remains open.

HSU National Secretary Craig Thomson said the report's findings included:

• Family members complaining of the use of young boys as staff instead of trained professionals doing work such as changing continence pads;

• Staffing shortages were so bad there was only one staffmember working on Christmas Day

• There was no effective infection control or palliative care or proper training for staff;

• No care plans or proper assessments were done for two residents who died at the facility;

• Residents were given the wrong drugs, left for hours on the toilet or left in urine-soaked clothes and given inadequate assistance to eat meals;

Mr Thomson said the facility showed the clear failings of the Federal Government's regulatory regime which left homes for years without scrutiny and does not require minimum staffing levels on any shifts.

''This facility will obviously be targeted as part of the new HSU campaign to introduce minimum staffing levels and improve safety in aged care,'' Mr Thomson said.

''A lack of staffing and complete lack of education and training for staff has seriously affected the care of residents to the point where their health and safety is in danger.

''Why is it that a report like this has not been publicly released to warn families of the dangers posed in this facility? It is obvious the Federal Government is trying to cover up the shocking conditions uncovered by its own accreditation agency.

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