Ann Marie Smith’s carer worked without appropriate clearance for years, Minister says
A federal inquiry has been set up into the shocking death of Ann Marie Smith, while new claims emerge that her sole carer lacked appropriate clearance for years. The SA taskforce investigating the disability sector will hold its first meeting today.
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- Ann Marie’s carer was ‘banned by care provider over theft claims’
- Neighbours’ shock at Ann Marie Smith’s ‘horrible’ death
The carer of Ann Marie Smith was working without appropriate screening for at least six years, a government minister has revealed.
The latest twist in the case came to light on Tuesday, seven weeks after Ms Smith’s shocking death.
Ms Smith had cerebral palsy and died in horrific conditions, after spending a year in a cane chair that doubled as her toilet.
As the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission launched its own investigation into Ms Smith’s death, focusing on the federal system, Premier Steven Marshall said he would “absolutely” work with the Federal Government if it chose to shut down the company responsible for Ms Smith’s care.
State Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said Ms Smith’s carer Rosemary Maione, who was an employee of Integrity Care SA, did not acquire a disability services employment clearance since it became law in 2014.
“I understand that it would be for a six or seven-year period that she hasn’t been working with a clearance,” Ms Lensink said. “Since 2014, all disability workers have been required to have a clearance.”
A spokesman for Integrity Care SA said its directors were taking legal advice ahead of making any comment.
Ms Maione’s lawyer, Stephen Ey, declined to comment.
Ms Smith, 54, died in hospital on April 6. She spent the last year of her life confined to a cane chair, which also doubled as her toilet, in her Kensington Park home.
She was moved from state care to a federal NDIS plan in 2018. Ms Smith, who was unable to walk or take care of herself, died of profound septic shock and multiple organ failure.
She was also malnourished and police said there was no fridge or nutritious food inside her home.
Police declared her death a major crime and launched a manslaughter investigation on May 15.
Integrity Care SA was fined $12,600 last Thursday for not notifying the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission of Ms Smith’s death within 24 hours.
Ms Lensink said a 12-member SA taskforce set up to examine the state’s disability sector would look into the screening process for disability workers. “We will be, as part of our taskforce, examining any of the gaps that exist,” she said.
The taskforce, co-chaired by Dr David Caudrey and former Dignity Party MP Kelly Vincent, will hold its first meeting on Wednesday.
An initial report is expected to be completed by mid-June.
A state parliamentary committee hearing on Monday heard that Ms Maione filled out a working-with-vulnerable-people screening form on April 14 – eight days after Ms Smith died. The form was submitted and paid for by Integrity Care the following day.
The working-with-vulnerable-people check is not required by law – but the disability services employment check is.
Both Mr Marshall and Ms Lensink said they would “absolutely” support the Federal Government if it wanted to close Integrity Care.
Mr Marshall said: “Obviously at the federal level, you have the Quality and Safeguards Commission and it’s ultimately their responsibility to look after all of the clients in the NDIS.
“We need to be working much more closely with the Federal Government, and that is one of the reasons why we’ve set up a taskforce in South Australia.”
Opposition human services spokeswoman Nat Cook called for an audit of all work clearances over the past two years.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Graeme Head said Ms Smith “died in appalling circumstances”.
“It is imperative we get to the bottom of what happened,” he said.
Monday’s parliamentary committee also heard evidence that Ms Maione was banned by Domiciliary Care SA in 2013 amid claims she stole money from a client.
These allegations were denied by her lawyer Mr Ey, who also opposes that Ms Maione was ever banned.