Oakden families raise serious concerns that State Government has failed to make changes and left suspect workers in the system
A WOMAN whose father was allegedly dragged by the neck and thrown while at Oakden says she was horrified to discover a “carer” that she complained about is still working at the condemned facility.
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A WOMAN whose father was allegedly dragged by the neck and thrown while at Oakden says she was horrified to discover a “carer” that she complained about is still working at the condemned facility.
Alma Krecu’s father Eddie Serpo was a resident at Oakden and she today held a press conference there amid mounting concern over the State Government’s response to a scathing report from chief psychiatrist Aaron Groves last month that described chronic abuse and neglect.
Also in attendance was Stewart Johnston, whose mother was an Oakden resident, after today telling The Advertiser he was rapidly losing confidence in the Government to drive change.
Ms Krecu said a staff member she had complained about to the national regulator over alleged physical violence against an Oakden resident was still at work on the site.
“When we arrived today we were waiting and I saw a carer leave the premises and walk down the road, presumedly to get lunch.
“He is one of the carers that we have reported,” she said.
“To see him here, shocked doesn’t even describe how I felt. And disappointed.
“I again have no faith. I arrive here to find a carer who should be suspended.
“My mother witnessed him physically push a resident against a wall and we made complaints over the years with him and another staff member.”
Ms Krecu met Premier Jay Weatherill a fortnight ago. Today, she said he had appeared “very apologetic” and “genuine” but that “actions speak louder than words”.
“Nothing has happened two weeks on,” she said.
“We don’t know who had been suspended. I would feel that we should know what the initial investigation was, what the outcome of that investigation was and what so-called training they had that the Government feels they were safe to be put back in this environment.”
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister Leesa Vlahos said she took the allegations “very seriously”.
“It’s my expectation that any worker with allegations of violence against them is stood down immediately until matters are properly dealt with,” she said.
It emerged under questioning in State Parliament last week that four of the 12 Oakden staff who were stood down over care concerns were returned to the workplace after training.
Ms Vlahos refused to explain the nature of the training, saying she was not a trained clinician.
She told Parliament the only contact she’s had with SA’s hand-picked mental health commissioner over the Oakden disgrace was a chance meeting at Bunnings.
Ms Vlahos also said it was not her job to say if criminal investigations were ongoing into Oakden, as she was not the Police Minister.