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SA Police raid Integrity Care SA offices as investigation continues into the tragic death of neglect victim Annie Smith

The company responsible for the care of neglect victim Annie Smith is being investigated over its delivery of aged-care services, as police raided its offices and the home of a compnay owner.

The tragedy of Ann Marie Smith

Major Crime detectives have raided the organisation in charge of the care of disability neglect victim Annie Smith.

Speaking out the front of the Edwardstown offices on Tuesday morning, Detective Superintendent Des Bray said a number of members of Integrity Care SA had refused to co-operate with investigations into the manslaughter of their patient, who died in April.

He said another search warrant had been issued at the Huntfield Heights home of a senior member of the organisation.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray during the raid. Picture: Tom Huntley
Detective Superintendent Des Bray during the raid. Picture: Tom Huntley
Police officers remove boxes of evidence from Integrity Care’s office. Picture: Tom Huntley
Police officers remove boxes of evidence from Integrity Care’s office. Picture: Tom Huntley

The raids cam on the same day the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission confirmed it was investigating Integrity Care SA’s delivery of aged-care services.

“Today we have executed a search warrant at Integrity Care here and we expect to be here most of the day,” Det Supt Bray said on Tuesday.

He said detectives would seize financial records, documents, computers, electronic storage devices, and anything that may assist the manslaughter and coronial investigation of Ms Smith at both addresses.

Police officers seize evidence from Integrity Care's office in Edwardstown. Picture: Tom Huntley
Police officers seize evidence from Integrity Care's office in Edwardstown. Picture: Tom Huntley
Ann Marie Smith – known to friends as Annie – at a social occasion in 2011 with her dogs Maggie and Deana. Picture: SA Police
Ann Marie Smith – known to friends as Annie – at a social occasion in 2011 with her dogs Maggie and Deana. Picture: SA Police

Det Supt Bray said the public had been extremely co-operative in the investigation, with 78 reports having been made to Crime Stoppers so far.

But he said a lack of co-operation from staff at Integrity Care had not assisted investigators.

“Sadly we haven’t had that same level of co-operation from all employees of Integrity Care SA,” Det Supt Bray said.

“In fact, some employees have steadfastly refused to co-operate and have done nothing whatsoever to assist the investigation or to ensure this sort of neglect could never happen to anyone again.”

He said some staff were refusing to answer “even the simplest of questions” – “somebody has died in the most tragic circumstances and some people see fit to not answer questions at all”.

Police officers at Integrity Care's office in Edwardstown on Tuesday morning. Picture: Tom Huntley
Police officers at Integrity Care's office in Edwardstown on Tuesday morning. Picture: Tom Huntley
A police officer with evidence from the ongoing investigation. Picture: Tom Huntley
A police officer with evidence from the ongoing investigation. Picture: Tom Huntley
Detective Superintendent Des Bray addressing the media about the ongoing Annie Smith investigation at Integrity Care's office in Edwardstown. Picture: Tom Huntley
Detective Superintendent Des Bray addressing the media about the ongoing Annie Smith investigation at Integrity Care's office in Edwardstown. Picture: Tom Huntley

Anyone who has information about the systems and policies in place at Integrity Care is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

He said activity inside the Edwardstown office suggested the company was still operating.

The raids cam on the same day the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission confirmed it was investigating Integrity Care SA’s delivery of aged-care services.

Aged care commission investigating

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is investigating Integrity Care SA’s delivery of aged care services in the wake of the Annie Smith neglect case.

Commissioner Janet Anderson says while the disgraced company is not an approved aged care provider, “the Commission is aware that Integrity Care previously has delivered aged care services through sub-contracting arrangements on behalf of up to 11 approved providers active in South Australia”.

The company advertises My Aged Care packages – federally-funded aged care services – as well as disability services on its website.

The Advertiser last month reported that despite Integrity Care being banned by the NDIA Quality and Safeguards Commission, it could still offer aged care and private services.

“Accordingly…the (Aged Care Quality and Safety) Commission wrote to 11 approved providers that have, or previously had, contractual or other arrangements in place with Integrity Care for the delivery of aged care service, requesting details regarding the nature of these arrangements,” Ms Anderson said.

“The Commission is currently analysing the providers’ responses, and following up with providers as necessary.”

Ms Anderson said approved providers are regulated by the commission and are also responsible for any subcontracted care delivered.

Ms Anderson said the Commission would also “continue to monitor the quality of services delivered by these 11 home care providers.”

“The Commission expects approved providers who subcontract the delivery of services to have checks in place to ensure care is being delivered appropriately,” she said.

“Where an approved provider becomes aware of issues regarding an individual or organisation delivering care on their behalf, the Commission expects that they would take a proactive approach to ensuring consumer safety and wellbeing.”

Last month the NDIA Quality and Safeguards Commission banned Integrity Care form providing Federal Government-funded disability support.

It also revoked its registration.

Ms Smith, 54, who had cerebal palsy, died in horrifying and degrading circumstances in April.

Police evidence indicates Ms Smith had spent most of the year leading up to her death in an almost sedentary state, living in putrid conditions in a woven cane chair in the family room of her Kensington Park home.

The three-bedroom home was purpose built for Ms Smith by her family and was where she lived after her father’s sudden death. It was part of a $1.3 million inheritance left to her by her parents.

Ms Smith’s carer for several years Rosemary Maione has been charged with manslaughter.

Police arrest Annie Smith's carer and charge her with manslaughter

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/sa-police-to-raid-integrity-care-sa-offices/news-story/6750f562d5b83e24d6d3b9190d64dee7