Integrity Care fired by aged-care providers in wake of Ann Marie Smith neglect case
The company at the centre of the Annie Smith neglect case has been fired by several aged-care providers, and the remaining services are considering sacking them as well.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Integrity Care has been sacked by several South Australian aged-care providers following the Annie Smith neglect case.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson has also confirmed the remaining few providers that subcontract the disgraced company are also considering firing them.
Meanwhile, a South Australian senator will seek to change aged-care laws so only approved providers can offer services to seniors.
As The Advertiser reported on Wednesday, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission was investigating Integrity Care’s delivery of aged care services in response to shocking allegations surrounding the death of Ms Smith.
The Commission said it was aware the company, which was not an approved aged-care provider, delivered aged-care services through subcontracting arrangements with up to 11 approved providers in SA.
It sought details regarding the nature of these arrangements.
In a letter to SA Senator Stirling Griff, Ms Anderson revealed the outcome of those inquiries.
“Through this and subsequent communications, the Commissioner has confirmed with these providers that no aged-care consumers are currently receiving care from Integrity Care as their subcontractor, and that their contract with Integrity Care has either been terminated or is under consideration to be terminated,” she said.
“The Commissioner will continue to monitor these providers through quality reviews.”
Approved providers are regulated by the Commission and are also responsible for any subcontracted care delivered.
Mr Griff last month wrote to Ms Anderson asking her to ban Integrity Care from providing aged-care services.
“It is incumbent upon the Commission to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” he wrote.
“It is clear that Integrity Care abrogated its responsibility to provide oversight and proper care of Ms Smith and the Commission can have no confidence that they can be entrusted with the care of senior Australians.”
Mr Griff told The Advertiserhe would be taking action to stop unapproved companies from providing aged-care services.
“When parliament resumes I will be moving to close this loophole in the legislation so that only approved providers can be allowed to provide direct care to our senior Australians,” he said.
Integrity Care also provided disability services until last month when the NDIA Quality and Safeguards Commission prohibited Integrity Care from providing Federal Government-funded disability support and also revoked its registration.
The move was in response to the death of 54-year-old Kensington Park woman Annie Smith.
Ms Smith, who had cerebral palsy, died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in April from septic shock, multiple organ failure from severe pressure sores and malnutrition.
Evidence indicated Ms Smith may have been stuck in a cane chair 24 hours a day for about a year before her death.
Police last month charged Ms Smith’s support worker Rosemary Maione, 68, with manslaughter.
Maione had been working for Integrity Care when she was Ms Smith’s support worker.
Integrity Care has been contacted for comment.