Caleb Bond: The most vulnerable in our society, to whom we owe a level of care, dignity and respect, are being let down

Shocking Minda photos have exposed an awkward truth, writes Caleb Bond. How are some of society’s most vulnerable members left to live like this?

It is time those who preside over outfits that provide inhumane, substandard care to the aged and those living with disabilities were held personally responsible.

You have to look at the photos of Minda’s Brighton units, bravely shared by a whistleblower, and wonder how the hell this can happen in a first-world country like Australia.

A unit with just a couch and a mattress on the floor.

Another with faeces smeared across a couch and a toilet after a man living with Down syndrome was allegedly locked in his unit for at least five hours.

That is not humane. More than that, it’s not appropriate for any sentient being.

This is one alleged case at one place in South Australia.

The grim and unwelcoming Minda unit that the whistleblower says is occupied by a man in his 40s with Down syndrome. This is his bedroom.

How many more are there in SA, let alone across the country?

The aged, those living with disabilities and wards of the state – some are certainly suffering similar treatment, be that at the hands of public or private care places.

The most vulnerable in our society, to whom we owe a level of care, dignity and respect, have been, and are being, continually let down.

Care, dignity and respect: that was the title of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Messy areas of a Minda client’s unit. Picture: Supplied

Royal commissioners Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs found both “poor quality” and “fundamental systemic flaws” in Australia’s aged care system.

“People receiving aged care deserve better,” they wrote. “The Australian community is entitled to expect better.”

Too right. But has much really changed?

We have hopefully come a long way since 2000, when Melbourne nursing-home residents were allegedly given kerosene baths.

But take the allegations of filthy conditions and a scabies outbreak at Annie Lockwood Court in Whyalla, run by Kindred Living.

SA Best MLC Frank Pangallo claimed that staff had tried to blame the skin infestation on mosquito bites and a nightdress worn by a resident.

Kindred Living chief executive Juanita Walker denied those claims.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission launched an investigation into the aged-care home after the allegations came to light last year. The commission found shortcomings in eight standards of care.

They included consumer dignity and choice, personal and clinical care, feedback and complaints and human resources – in other words, all the most important parts of running an aged care home for the benefit of the aged.

Kindred Living Annie Lockwood Court aged care facility was investigated by federal authorities after allegations of poor conditions and a scabies outbreak. Picture: Supplied

The commission did not make any specific findings about Walker or any other individual.

The report found the home posed “an immediate and severe risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of care recipients”.

But Annie Lockwood wasn’t shut down. Kindred Spirit was told to give its staff special training and they were made to partake in weekly teleconferences with an adviser.

Only months later, at Kindred Living’s own decision, was Annie Lockwood wound up. Ms Walker did not lose her job as a result of the commission’s findings. Nor was any member of the outfit’s board required to stand down.

The same people who presided over an aged care home that posed an “immediate and severe risk” to residents were able to carry on without consequence.

At the very least, chief executives and board members under whose leadership there is found to be neglect or substandard care should be forced to step aside.

Why should those at the top of businesses that are meant to provide care not also face consequences?

As sad as it may be, you can always back self interest. Maybe that would be the incentive these people need to make sure everything is run over with a fine-tooth comb and their clients receive the best care possible.

If not, their own heads would be on the chopping block.