City nursing home re-accredited after breaching standards

A TOOWOOMBA nursing home that was hit with a non-compliance notice by the Federal Government's aged care watchdog has addressed issues identified in an audit.

FILE PHOTO: Aged care is under scrutiny.

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A TOOWOOMBA nursing home that was hit with a non-compliance notice by the Federal Government's aged care watchdog has addressed issues identified in a recent audit. 

Salem Aged Care in Hume St, South Toowoomba, was hit with non-compliance notice by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency after the findings of an audit were handed down in June. 

AACQA found that residents and their representatives were dissatisfied with the number of staff at the facility, and the timeliness of their response to requests for assistance.

"Processes and systems are not effective to ensure there are sufficient numbers of skilled and qualified staff to ensure care and services are delivered as required," the audit report said.

"Monitoring processes are not effective to ensure there are staff available to meet care recipient needs." 

The audit also found residents and their representatives were "not satisfied care recipients' privacy and dignity is being recognised and respected". 

"Staff practices do not consistently promote, support and/or maintain care recipients' privacy and dignity." 

The agency followed up with Salem Aged Care after the initial audit, and found the home had addressed the issues raised in June. It decided to re-accredit the home as having met all 44 accreditation standards last month. 

Lutheran Services CEO Jacqui Kelly said that as a not-for-profit organisation that provided retirement living and aged care options for older Australians, Lutheran Services has welcomed the Government's recent announcement to launch a Royal Commission into the aged care sector. 

"During its regular audit in April this year, the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency found that Salem Aged Care did not meet two standards, which have since been corrected," she said, 

"Lutheran Services used the 90-day rectification period to swiftly address the matters raised in the audit, taking the necessary steps to ensure the service complies with standards and improvements have been made.

"In the Agency's most recent visit, Salem Aged Care was found to have rectified the matters and is now compliant in all areas."

Ms Kelly said Lutheran Services was continually investing in quality aged care for older Australians and had supported the Toowoomba community since opening the well-regarded Salem Aged Care in 1935.

"We believe any move to ensure the very best care, respect and support is given to people at this stage of their life is a positive one and aligns with our mission of caring for those in society who are most in need," she said.

"Our Lutheran Services communities are our residents' homes and we employ a range of staffing to fully invest in the whole life of experience - our clinical teams are supported by all of our employees with an emphasis on allied health, creative arts and dining. We are dedicated to quality clinical care so our residents feel at home and experience joy, a meaningful life and dignity."

Originally published as City nursing home re-accredited after breaching standards