Oakden scandal staff still working in health system, others stood down are on full pay

NINE suspect staff identified in the inquiry into the Oakden mental health facility scandal are still working in the state health system, while the 12 who have been stood down are receiving full pay.

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NINE suspect staff identified in the inquiry into the Oakden mental health facility scandal are still working in the state health system, while the 12 who have been stood down are receiving full pay.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister Leesa Vlahos last month revealed 21 staff had been referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for possible sanction following allegations uncovered in Chief Psychiatrist Aaron Groves’ scathing Oakden review.

Alma Krecu, the daughter of Ermanno Serpo, who was a patient at Oakden nursing home and was allegedly assaulted there. Picture: Roger Wyman

SA Health has now confirmed that 12 of those staff have been removed from the workplace and stood down pending fuller inquiries, but remain on full pay until they are completed.

The remaining nine have been permitted to remain at work while AHPRA inquiries continue.

AHPRA says it aims to resolve investigations within 60 days.

A national body, it has power to refer medical professionals for assessments or to tribunals which can stop them practising.

The Opposition has raised fears that there could be lengthy delays before AHPRA reaches findings in the Oakden cases, exacerbating stress for both accused staff and victims’ families.

Chemo dosing bungle victim Andrew Knox has been waiting for more than a year for AHPRA to make a finding in his case, and says the State Government should take its own action.

Mr Knox spoke to The Advertiser on Sunday from Melbourne, where he is undergoing therapy using stem cells from a German donor in a bid to overcome a return bout of cancer.

“There is no closure,” Mr Knox said. “To rely on AHPRA is politically inept. Those who are innocent also won’t know for 18 months, so they’re under terrible strain as well as the families.

“It makes it sound like something is being done but, in reality, nothing is being done.”

Mr Knox, an industrial advocate, said the State Government should use powers it has to rapidly investigate suspect staff and take action against those found to pose a public danger. He cited the example of one SA Health executive swiftly sacked by the Government when found to have covered up testing errors that led to people being wrongly told they had prostate cancer.

“It can take very finite and very swift action,” Mr Knox said. “No action has been taken in our case and one doubts that with this deflection ... anything much will be done over Oakden.”

Three Oakden matters referred to police have also been dropped, for lack of evidence.

Ms Vlahos’ office declined to comment.

An SA Health spokesman said the department had “taken immediate action by standing down a number of staff and are working hard to expedite those investigations”.

Clive and Barb Spriggs, the son and wife of Bob Spriggs, who was a patient at Oakden. Picture: Matt Loxton

“As we’ve always said, if further evidence comes to light, we will have no hesitation in taking further appropriate disciplinary action,” the spokesman said. “The recent actions we’ve taken, including providing more medical staff and improved oversight of staff and care, ensures the older persons mental health facility at Oakden is safe for those who are living there.”

There are now five known cases of families seeking new coronial investigations into deaths at Oakden. The family of Cheryl Martin, who died of bronchopneumonia in 2008 aged 43, on Sunday came forward saying they believed faster treatment for a fall may have avoided the death.

Opposition health spokesman Stephen Wade said the Oakden investigations must be expedited “to ensure that patients and their families can have clarity and closure over what’s happened”.

“(Delays) keep people on tenterhooks, not just patients who want outcomes but also clinicians who want to get on with their careers,” he said. “For both parties, a notification is a cloud.

“They want to have clarity about the circumstances and to ensure people who could be a risk to other patients are taken out of the system entirely, and not just suspended.”

How ten years of Oakden drama unfolded

■ February 2007: Oakden accredited for a year, followed by federal check-up visits.

■ December 2007: Complaint prompts unannounced review. Federal funding revoked.

■ February 2008: One patient murdered by another. Court case dropped when alleged killer dies.

■ July 2008: Jay Weatherill gives up Ageing portfolio.

■ June 2014: Staff member raises concerns about restraints and “human rights violations”.

■ March 2013: Federal Government accredits Oakden with a perfect scorecard.

■ December 2014: Federal MP Tony Zappia writes to Health Minister Jack Snelling on behalf of constituent, who warns of “a high risk of a severe injury or death”.

■ February 2015: Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos, pictured, dismisses the concerns.

■ March 2016: Federal Government accredits Oakden with a perfect scorecard.

■ July 2016: Family complains about bruising of Bob Spriggs.

■ October 2016: Lorraine Baff, constituent in Zappia letter, brings police prosecution against an Oakden staff member who assaulted her husband, Jim.

■ November 17: Ms Vlahos meets clinicians. One asks her to “please come and visit Oakden” as Ms Vlahos “raced out of room”.

■ January 17, 2017: Ms Vlahos calls an inquiry into Oakden.

■ January 18, 2017: The Spriggs case goes public, via the media.

■ February 2017: Ms Vlahos visits Oakden.

■ March 17, 2017: Oakden meets only 29 of 44 expected standards.

■ April 10: Ms Vlahos receives the Oakden report from Dr Groves.

■ April 13, 2017: Inquest announced into 2008 murder.

■ April 14: Ms Vlahos reads Oakden report.

■ April 20: Oakden report released, action against 21 staff.

■ May 1: Premier Jay Weatherill says he backs Ms Vlahos.