Two more Whyalla nursing homes run by Kindred Living found to be non-compliant

Two more regional nursing homes have been found to be non-compliant, prompting concerns about a lack of aged care in the region.

Scrutiny continues to mount on under-fire aged-care operator Kindred Living as two more of its Whyalla nursing homes have been found non-compliant.

It has prompted major concerns about a lack of quality aged care services in the regional city.

Outraged members of the Whyalla community on Tuesday morning protested against the closure of Annie Lockwood Court, which was at the centre of an alleged scabies outbreak last year.

It has now been revealed Kindred Living’s other two Whyalla aged care homes – Yeltana Nursing Home and Copperhouse Court Hostel – are under noncompliance orders from the federal watchdog.

Dozens of Whyalla residents gathered to protest against the closure of Kindred Living's Annie Lockwood Court nursing home on Tuesday morning. Picture: Supplied

A recently released report by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission found the Yeltana Nursing Home was not sufficient in personal and clinical care and organisational governance.

The investigation found staff were unable to identify three cases of serious weight loss in residents.

“Clinical staff were unable to recognise the deterioration and did not refer some (residents) to a dietitian in a timely manner,” the report stated.

The investigation also uncovered that a resident was being subjected to suspected ongoing emotional abuse by their guardian.

“The (commission) noted that the service did not evidence strategies put in place to protect the consumer from further potential abuse,” the report stated.

A separate investigation found the Copperhouse Court Hostel did not have an effective risk management system.

One resident escaped the home four separate times in 2020.

A gate leading from the home’s outdoor area to the street was unlocked on each occasion, and operators of the home did not effectively respond to each incident.

Kindred Living chief executive Juanita Walker said the issues at both homes were being “rectified” and that she had no intention to close them.

There are fears residents relocating from Annie Lockwood Court will need to leave Whyalla to find a suitable home. Picture: Supplied

Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin has raised serious concerns about a lack of aged care services in her town. Picture: Greg Sketcher

Kindred Living will shut down its Annie Lockwood Court nursing home at the end of the month, forcing 37 people to relocate.

The aged care facility was found to pose an “immediate and severe risk” to residents earlier this year, but Ms Walker insisted the home was closed due to a lack of skilled staff in the local workforce.

Any available spots at the two other homes will be offered to Annie Lockwood Court residents.

About 150 Whyalla residents gathered at the city’s council chambers on Tuesday to protest against the closure.

Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin supported the protest, calling for urgent action to address serious demand issues in the town.

“This is an issue across many regional towns and this needs to be addressed,” Ms McLaughlin said.

“Any services that we currently have we want to maintain and we are happy to look at any new services that might want to come to our city as well.”

Ms McLaughlin said many of the 37 uprooted residents would need to look outside of the city for quality care.

SA-Best MP Frank Pangallo labelled the decision to close the home “disgraceful” and “heartless”.

“It is unbelievably distressing for families of the residents being kicked out as they are being forced to find alternative accommodation - potentially hundreds of kilometres from their homes,” Mr Pangallo said.

Hundreds of people have turned out for a rally against the closure of the Annie Lockwood Court aged care facility. @SpencerGulfNNpic.twitter.com/g1eTphxOsN

— Mark Zita (@mark_zita) August 10, 2021

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