Kindred Living aged-care home at Whyalla investigates staff members over alleged ‘breaches of privacy’

An aged-care home is investigating its staff after a state MP turned up with a film crew to follow up on reports of a scabies outbreak. Warning: Graphic

An under-siege aged-care company in Whyalla has launched an investigation into alleged breaches of privacy by staff members following whistleblower reports of a scabies “outbreak”.

Kindred Living chief executive Juanita Walker confirmed the investigation, saying “if these allegations were confirmed, appropriate action will be taken”.

She said the internal investigation centred on the conduct of some staff members when state MP Frank Pangallo attended their site with a film crew to investigate reports of a scabies outbreak last month.

Ms Walker said the company “is aware and abides by” laws protecting whistleblowers.

Kindred Living’s Annie Lockwood Court site is under investigation by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission after whistleblowers claimed eight dementia residents at ‘Cottage Three’ contracted Norwegian scabies.

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

One whistleblower told The Advertiser several staff members also caught scabies, which they claimed was an ongoing issue for up to three years.

The allegations were denied by Ms Walker, who said only one resident was diagnosed with scabies.

In the most recent development, Ms Walker said residents in Cottage Three were “filmed without consent and, in some cases, without their knowledge” by a national news network.

“Kindred Living is investigating apparent and alleged breaches of Resident Privacy and Dignity Policy by some employees,” she said.

Mr Pangallo raised his concerns in parliament last week, saying: “Disturbingly, management at Kindred Living has now embarked on a witch hunt to find the brave whistleblowers who approached me in distress with their concerns after management refused to act on them.”

SA-BEST crossbencher Frank Pangallo aired his concerns in parliament.

He also wrote to Ms Walker, claiming her organisation attempted to “intimidate and harass” one employee for allegedly breaching their privacy policy.

“It appears you are trying to find a scapegoat for an issue that Kindred Living is solely responsible for.”

In a reply letter, Ms Walker said “that statement is untrue”.

“Kindred Living has the right and the obligation to investigate alleged conduct issues with its employees …

“I reject your view that Kindred Living is attempting to intimidate and harass our employee and that we are trying to find a scapegoat for an issue for which you say Kindred Living is solely responsible.”

Ms Walker continued to write in her letter to Mr Pangallo that “our concern is confined to allegations about (the employee’s) conduct while you were in one of our facilities”.

This stoush comes in the background of an investigation by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Authorities made an unannounced visit on November 17 and spent the following six days on site to investigate allegations of poor standards.

A commission spokeswoman said a report would be published online once the investigation is complete.

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