Disability advocate David Holst seeks to oust Minda president Susan Neuhaus, following sanctions on the organisation
The head of disability provider Minda is being challenged – after the organisation was sanctioned this month for not meeting standards.
SA News
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The leadership of one of the state’s largest disability providers is in turmoil amid a move to oust the president of the Minda board in the wake of sanctions.
High-profile disability advocate and new board member David Holst is collecting signatures to remove president Susan Neuhaus over concerns about the level of care provided by the organisation. Sanctions were last month placed on the North Brighton Minda Nursing Home.
In a letter to Minda members Mr Holst, pictured right, claims the board has “regrettably failed us despite very loud alarm bells around Oakden”, referring to the standard of care at the now-closed state-run nursing home which sparked a royal commission.
Sanctions were imposed last month on the 54-bed Minda Nursing Home at North Brighton following inspections by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency. Minda issued a statement on January 10 revealing inspectors had found compliance problems with the health and personal care of residents and behavioural management. It has six months to meet required standards.
In a letter to Dr Neuhaus left, dated January 16, Mr Holst – who was elected to the nine-member board at a November annual general meeting – said members of Minda Association had urged him to seek Dr Neuhaus’ resignation and ask other board members elected prior to November to “give serious consideration” to whether their positions remained tenable.
“This board has lost the trust of many families,” writes Mr Holst, whose daughter is cared for by Minda.
“(The sanctions) have brought into focus the judgement, decision-making, governance and risk management practices of the board members.
“For such a situation to arise at Minda, particularly given the widespread publicity around the Oakden tragedy, reflects poorly on the chair, the board and all Minda stakeholders and suggests all prudent, professional and necessary investigations and audits were not taken by the board to protect the clients.”
On January 18, Mr Holst sent a copy of that letter to Minda members with a further explanation in which he argued the board “very publicly failed in its duty of care” and was “failing to accept responsibility”.
In it he said the “official board response” to his request was “a legal letter”.
Following this, Dr Neuhaus, who has been president for about two years, wrote to Minda members on Tuesday, referring to “one member of the board, recently elected” who was calling for a meeting “to force the removal of me as chairman”.
She described this as “destabilising” action which risked “damaging our organisation’s reputation” and urged members to “seriously consider the significant financial and reputational risks that are at stake”.
Dr Neuhaus’ letter confirmed she would “be stepping down from my role mid-year” but would “continue to provide the leadership” needed to address the “issues that led to the sanctions being imposed”. She would not comment on the timing when asked by The Advertiser yesterday.
“I am unable to comment on any matter concerning the board,” she said. “This is likely to be subject to legal proceedings. It would be most inappropriate for me to comment.”
Minda is among five South Australian aged care homes to have been sanctioned, and 13 more served with noncompliance notices, for failing to meet standards.
Dr Neuhaus told The Advertiser that Minda had “met all the families associated with the nursing home”.
A statement by Minda described the sanctions as “disheartening”. An external administrator has been appointed, a new staff training program has been developed and $300,000 will be spent upgrading the nursing home.
The Oakden aged-care home was closed in 2017 following reports of patient abuse and horrific conditions.
A national aged care royal commission has begun preliminary hearings and is expected to hear from families of former Oakden residents.
Dr Neuhaus’ letter said Minda is “preparing for the aged care royal commission”.
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