Minda care faces scrutiny in aged care royal commission

Details of sanctions imposed on disability provider Minda will “shock” and “no doubt” be raised in the aged care royal commission, a member of the organisation’s board says.

• Disability advocate moves to oust Minda board president
• Sanctions imposed on Minda Nursing Home at North Brighton

Details of sanctions imposed on disability provider Minda will “shock” and “no doubt” be raised in the aged care royal commission, a member of the organisation’s board says.

The Advertiser yesterday revealed disability advocate and new Minda board member David Holst is pushing 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 over inadequate care, but the problems have not been detailed. Minda has six months to improve. It has appointed an external administrator, developed new staff training and will spend $300,000 upgrading the home.

In a letter to Minda members, Mr Holst writes the sanctions “guarantee” exposure of problems and “some of what will come out with the public release of the now confidential … report will shock (Minda) association members”.

“Sadly, Minda will no doubt figure prominently in the aged care royal commission and receive even more bad publicity.”

Minda board member David Holst. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Minda President Dr Susan Neuhaus. Picture: Matt Turner

Dr Neuhaus, a surgeon and ex-Army officer, in response described Mr Holst’s actions as “destabilising” and “damaging” to Minda’s reputation.

She has committed to stepping down as president by the middle of the year but would not explain the timing.

At a meeting on Wednesday night, the board agreed to “engage independent governance expertise to conduct a review of Minda’s management and governance frameworks to ensure best practice”. At the meeting, board members were advised that former member Ian Hardy had resigned. It followed the resignation of David Kelly earlier this month.

Minda has been without a permanent chief executive since September, when CEO of eight years Cathy Miller resigned. She said it was time “to move on to the next challenge”. An outside recruitment agency has begun a search to replace her. Darren Button is acting CEO in the interim.