Chief psychiatrist who wrote scathing report that revealed widespread abuse at Oakden resigns
THE Chief Psychiatrist responsible for a report that revealed widespread abuse and neglect Oakden aged care facility has resigned.
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FAMILY members of the man whose case sparked a major review of the troubled Oakden aged-care home fear the resignation of its author could delay desperately needed reforms.
The news comes as a motion for a Senate inquiry into the scandal was passed late Tuesday.
Chief Psychiatrist Dr Aaron Groves resigned, just seven weeks after delivering a scathing report on mistreatment and abuse at the state-run Oakden facility to government.
Dr Groves will finish in the role in September to take up a new job interstate.
Barb Spriggs, whose husband Bob died after alleged mistreatment at Oakden, expressed shock and disappointment, saying Dr Groves’ resignation would be “a great loss” for the push for reform.
Mrs Spriggs said there was “no way” that necessary reforms could be implemented before Dr Groves leaves in September.
“I would have thought he would have wanted to see it (reform of the sector) through,” she said.
“It’s going to be very difficult for somebody to take over from him because he’s just got so much background on the whole thing.
“I was very impressed with him. He was very passionate. I would think it’s a great loss for South Australia.”
Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos said Dr Groves had “made a personal choice to accept another position interstate”.
“I wish him well in his endeavours,” she said in a statement.
“The State Government will continue to implement the six recommendations of Dr Groves’ Oakden report, including building a new $14 million facility.”
SA Health released a statement late Tuesday confirming Dr Groves would take up a position in “another jurisdiction”.
“We will begin recruiting shortly and Dr Groves will continue as Chief Psychiatrist until September,” it said.
“Dr Groves has added significantly to the area of Mental Health in his role as Chief Psychiatrist and whilst we are sorry to see him leave South Australia, we wish him all the best in his new role and thank him for his work over the past number of years.”
Opposition health spokesman Stephen Wade said Dr Groves’ resignation was “a vote of no confidence in Minister Vlahos’ plan and her capacity to deliver positive change”.
In late April, Dr Groves released a comprehensive review of conditions at Oakden — including medication overdoses and physical abuse, leading to the announcement of the closure of the home.
His report found systemic cover-up, warning “the fish rots from the head”, and described “seclusion, restraint and rough handling practices ... transported from mid to late 20th century Glenside Hospital”.
In total, 26 staff have been reported to the national health regulator over matters related to the Oakden scandal.
One staff member has been sacked and another resigned, while eight have been referred to police and 10 are under investigation by SA Health.
In late May, Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander announced he would also hold an inquiry into Oakden, specifically to uncover what information was passed on to authorities and how they dealt with it.
Several ministers and former ministers could be dragged into the ICAC inquiry.
Late Tuesday, a motion for a Senate inquiry was passed after a month of lobbying by independent South Australian senator Nick Xenophon.
While the ICAC inquiry will be behind closed doors, the Senate inquiry will be in the open, with witnesses protected by parliamentary privilege.
On Sunday, the government announced plans for a new, $14.7m mental health facility for older persons as it prepared to relocate residents from the Oakden facility to a new home in Northgate.
In total, 25 staff have now been reported to the national health regulator over matters related to the Oakden scandal.
Eleven have been stood down pending further SA Health investigations and one has been sacked. One other staff member has resigned.
The same facility was sanctioned by the Federal Government in 2008.