Premier Jay Weatherill says Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos has his ‘full support’ over Oakden scandal

THE Premier has finally broken his silence on the Oakden mental health facility scandal — three weeks after receiving the report that led to the nursing home’s closure. He threw his “full support” behind embattled Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos.

Oakden whistleblowers Stewart Johnston, Rina Serpo (holding a photo of her husband Eddie Serpo, who was a resident) and her daughter Alma Krecu outside the facility. Picture: Keryn Stevens

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THE Premier has this morning finally broken his silence on the Oakden mental health facility scandal — three weeks after receiving the damning report that led to the nursing home’s closure.

Jay Weatherill threw his support behind embattled Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos and credited her for “shining a light” on the issue.

Mr Weatherill spoke to the media this morning before flying to the APY lands for a country Cabinet meeting, where he is addressing the findings of the report into the Older Persons Mental Health Service at Oakden — which the Government received on April 10, and released on April 20.

Mr Weatherill said the damning report into the Oakden facility was “deeply distressing”.

The report into Oakden revealed that patients at the home were over-medicated, physically abused and isolated, prompting Ms Vlahos to accept all recommendations and announce the facility’s closure.

Mr Weatherill reiterated the apology made by Ms Vlahos, saying he was “deeply sorry” to relatives of the Oakden residents. But he stressed Ms Vlahos, who has resisted calls from the opposition for her to quit, has his “full support”.

Mr Weatherill said Ms Vlahos had not ignored the report’s warnings and instead had initiated the investigation.

“The reality is if the Minister had not instituted this inquiry we would not have been aware of the depths of concerns at this institution”.

“And rather than criticism she should be acknowledged for the fact that she has shone a light on this facility and it’s revealed these very uncomfortable truths about the way in which this facility has been operating,” he said.

“So she has my full support.”

Mr Weatherill said Ms Vlahos responded properly to a complaint about Oakden in 2014 but was given inaccurate advice at the time from SA Health.

“What is disturbing however is that none of the systems of protection that have been put in place by the Government have revealed the depths of concerns at this institution before this report has been put in place.”

“The information she was provided with was inaccurate and she was relying on the advice of her agency. She received advice that staffing levels were beyond adequate at the agency and that advice has proven to be incorrect. It’s deeply disturbing that we can have a State Government agency … the principle mechanism by which a Minister arrives at her state of knowledge about matters, giving her advice which has now ultimately proven to be wrong.”

He said there are a “range of people” who have been investigated over the issue and referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The Premier said his government’s policy is to pursue excellence in medical care, ensure patients are treated with dignity and respect.

“They are our principles, they are the policies of my government, and they were not implemented in relation to this institution,” he said.

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Oakden families: We want answers

Oakden whistleblower Stewart Johnston came forward after his late mother Helen was subjected to abuse during a two-week stay at Oakden in 2008, and said “the clock starts ticking when he (Mr Weatherill) gets back”.

“We’ve got to have some questions answered as to the inaction over Oakden,” he said.

Mr Johnston, who will call the Premier’s office today to arrange a formal meeting, warned that he would become the government’s “biggest thorn” if his demand was rejected.

SA Premier Jay Weatherill will face angry questions from families of Oakden residents. Picture: Kym Smith

“This week I must meet with the Premier so that I can report back to the general community as to the progress we are making,” he said.

“Based on his answers, I’ll be giving him my view on how this can be avoided in the future.”

Mr Johnston is calling for a “dob-in line” to be established, as well as a major overhaul of the accreditation process.

“I’ll certainly be asking Mr Weatherill where the chain of command has gone wrong.”

Ms Vlahos met with Mr Johnston for 90 minutes last week. He asked her why it took at least four days for her to read the report.

He plans to ask the Premier the same question and “won’t be letting Mr Weatherill off the hook either”.

“I can be their best supporter to champion change, or I can be their biggest thorn — it’s up to them.”

The heartbroken family of Ermanno Serpo, who was a patient at the facility for three years before his death last year, wants to know how Mr Weatherill will fix the problem.

Mr Serpo’s wife, Rina, who alleges that a nurse assaulted her husband in December 2013, wants Mr Weatherill to explain why there was no funding for carers to choose the best treatment for loved ones with dementia.

“If there was a package available, I could have looked after my own husband at home,” Ms Serpo said. “Please do something about it.”

Mr Serpo’s daughter Alma Krecu wants Mr Weatherill to give more funding so nursing staff can be adequately trained.

“Closing this facility is just not going to fix this issue,” she said.

“What is he going to do to fix the criteria of nurses or carers that come into the facility, because clearly that’s where it’s fallen down.”

Burning questions for Jay Weatherill

Stewart Johnston, s on of Oakden victim Helen Johnston

■ WILL the Premier establish a “dob-in” hotline?

■ DOES the accreditation system need an overhaul?

■ WHAT will Mr Weatherill do about it?

■ WHERE in the chain of command did it go wrong?

Rina Serpo, w ife of Oakden victim Ermanno Serpo
■ HOW is Mr Weatherill going to fix the problem?

■ IS Mr Weatherill going to provide more doctors at the new facility for Oakden patients?

■ WHY is there not a package available for carers so that dementia patients can be looked after at home?

Alma Krecu, daughter of Oakden victim Ermanno Serpo

■ IS there going to be more funding for nursing staff to be adequately trained?

■ WHAT is Mr Weatherill going to do to fix the criteria for nurses or carers employed at the facility?

■ WHERE are the residents going to go?

■ WHAT is he going to do to address the coroner, in terms of cases that need to be reopened?