Chris Oldfield, Naracoorte Community News
Member for Barker Tony Pasin has praised the federal authority that sanctioned the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) over its management of Naracoorte’s Moreton Bay House.
The Commonwealth Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission ruled on May 24 “there is an immediate and severe risk to the safety, health or wellbeing” of residents as reported last week by The News.
It sanctioned the Mount Gambier based LCLHN for failing at Moreton Bay House 19 of 42 requirements listed under eight national aged care standards.
In direct contrast, Longridge Aged Care which is community owned and managed at Naracoorte is listed by the Commonwealth as having a long history of full compliance.
Longridge currently has the highest possible compliance ranking of four bars which reflects it “meets requirements” and it has “no areas for improvement identified in the most recent quality assessment”.
But Moreton Bay which is managed by the LCLHN has been listed with just one bar as “inadequate” and has “current sanctions or notice to agree” applied against it.
“The fact that the commission has made an order against the Limestone Coast Local Health Network for Moreton Bay House services is an indication that the commission is doing its job to protect residents and improve their safety, health and wellbeing,” Mr Pasin said.
“Knowing that the commission has acted to improve services for the residents of Moreton Bay House, should give comfort and confidence to residents and families of all federally funded Aged Care facilities.”
That is, he believed residents and families of those in Moreton Bay could be confident “that there is oversight and action taken when needed to ensure that Australian aged care services are delivering appropriate levels of care that safeguards the welfare and rights of vulnerable (people).”
Mr Pasin was unable to find how much the LCLHN received from the Federal Government for services to be provided at Moreton Bay House.
However, the LCLHN had been ordered to immediately appoint an advisor, report fortnightly and was banned from receiving funding for any new residents for at least three months, among other things.
“The role of the commission is to protect and improve the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of people receiving Australian funded aged care,” Mr Pasin said.
Limestone Coast Local Health Network CEO Ngaire Buchanan said immediate action was being taken to address matters raised by the quality and safety commission.
“Since receiving the sanctions we have acted immediately to make improvements, including increasing our staffing levels effective immediately,” Ms Buchanan said.
“We have also appointed an advisor to strengthen care delivery and services as we work towards achieving compliance in all areas.
“The care and wellbeing of our residents is our priority and we will do everything possible to ensure they feel confident in the level of care they receive as we work to address the areas of concern.
“We have contacted all residents at the 41 bed facility and their families to inform them and tell them the steps we are taking to address the issues identified.
“We understand residents and families may be concerned and will ensure they are informed at every stage of the process.
“We want to reassure them that we are committed to implementing immediate changes to rectify the issues.”
Ms Buchanan acknowledged the sanctions included restrictions on Commonwealth payments for new residents at Moreton Bay House for three months.
“We are committed to working immediately to address the issues identified by ACQSC and will put in place all necessary improvements until all accreditation areas are rectified,” Ms Buchanan said.
“Moreton Bay House will remain open while we work closely with the Commonwealth Department of Health.”
Of the 41 beds for residents at Moreton Bay House, 30 are funded by the Commonwealth and 11 are funded by the State Government.
SA Health’s Limestone Coast Local Health Network was established by the former Marshall State Government.
SA Health Minister Chris Picton was critical of the former state government and said the wellbeing of residents was a priority.
The only other facility listed this year by the Commonwealth for failing an audit includes Mount Gambier’s Boandik Kessel, a 61 room facility in Mount Gambier.
On January 23 this year, the aged care quality and safety commission applied sanctions against Boandik Lodge for failing five of 42 requirements at Boandik Kessel.
The commission reports it is continuing to monitor Boandik’s services for a return to compliance.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
