New case of alleged abuse at Oakden nursing home
UPDATED: New claims of abuse at the Oakden aged-care facility have emerged, as a staff member is stood down and referred to police over an incident alleged to have occurred only last week.
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NEW claims of abuse at the Oakden aged-care facility have emerged, as a staff member is stood down and referred to police over an incident alleged to have occurred only last week.
Embattled Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister Leesa Vlahos today told State Parliament that one SA Health staff member had been sacked over issues at Oakden.
Another has resigned and a total of 10 have been removed from the workplace, she said.
The new incident, which comes amid public outrage and a State Government pledge of change over the scathing Chief Psychiatrist’s report released last month, is alleged to have occurred last Tuesday.
Ms Vlahos said it was reported to an Oakden manager on Saturday, related to “an alleged incident witnessed by a family member of another patient” and was now with police.
She would not give details of the separate case in which an Oakden staff member was sacked.
Another person linked to concerns about abuse at Oakden has also resigned, Ms Vlahos said.
Ms Vlahos said Chief Psychiatrist Aaron Groves’ report “uncovered shocking examples of systemic elder abuse at Oakden” going back to 2001 and “an entrenched culture of cover-up”.
“We have a zero tolerance approach to further elder abuse,” she told Parliament today.
“I want to reassure the SA public, that I will continue disclose important information regarding Oakden,” she said.
“I have been transparent in releasing relevant documentation, including the Chief Psychiatrist’s disturbing report, as I am determined to ensure this can never happen again.”
Opposition health spokesman Stephen Wade said the “disturbing” new revelations were new proof that the “pervading stench of cover-up lingers” and Ms Vlahos must resign.
“It is extremely distressing to hear that yet another assault has been reported at Oakden. Our thoughts are with the resident and the family involved,” he said.
“The minister’s statement to the family falls well short. The minister seems oblivious to the collapse of confidence that she and her Government face when it comes to protecting the elderly.
“Telling us that someone has been suspended and that it’s in the hands of police, leaves so many questions unanswered.
“The Government’s continued failure to deliver quality and safe care is highlighted, not hidden, by this drip feed of information.”
Ms Vlahos said further updates were likely on the number of staff being disciplined and she had written to the national health regulator asking it to speed up investigations into Oakden.
SA Health chief executive Vickie Kaminski has also been ordered to “thoroughly investigate” claims made to the media yesterday that an Oakden staff previously accused of assault continued to work there.
Ms Vlahos said the matter had been probed before, but must be examined again.
“I completely understand the anger and despair of the families,” she said.
An external expert will also be to oversee the Government’s response to the Oakden report.