Aged care provider seeks new CEO after boss steps down
A Tasmanian aged care provider is seeking a new boss after its chief executive stood down just a week after the company’s operations were examined at the Aged Care Royal Commission.
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SOUTHERN Cross Care Tasmania is seeking a new CEO after Richard Sadek stepped down.
The announcement came just a week after the aged care provider’s operations were examined at the Hobart hearing of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Mr Sadek used his appearance at the hearing to apologise to residents and their relatives.
He had scheduled three weeks leave starting on Saturday and will not return to his role.
“Richard Sadek has decided to bring his retirement forward immediately in the best interests of the organisation,” Southern Cross Care chair Stephen Shirley said on Friday night.
“No stone will be left unturned to ensure we get the right individual to lead Southern Cross Care. It will take a little time but we will be starting the process now.
“The Board will ensure that we acknowledge Richard Sadek’s 25-year contribution as CEO for Southern Cross Care in the new year.”
All staff were informed of the decision late on Friday afternoon and residents and clients will be told over the weekend.
Richard Tyberek, who had been asked to be acting CEO, will now stay on in that role until a new CEO is appointed.
The Royal Commission heard multiple tragic stories of neglect of residents linked to significant cuts to staffing hours at two of the organisation’s Tasmanian facilities — Yaraandoo in Somerset and Glenara Lakes in Launceston.
Both have been subject to compliance action in the past 12 months relating to their operations.
A s hocking submission by Yaraandoo resident Brian Harvey, who succumbed to his battle with prostate cancer in August, was read to the to the Royal Commission.
He described feeling “dehumanised, left as a carcass in an aged care abattoir ready to be processed like a slab of meat in a sausage processing factory at some future time” after being left alone as long as 90 minutes on a mobile toilet, unable to stand up and get off.
Mr Harvey wrote that “every second of every minute seemed like an eternity” while he was waiting for assistance.
In another submission, Judith King gave harrowing details about her husband Neville King’s treatment at Glenara Lakes, explaining she found him dehydrated to the point of delirium and felt threatened by management when she complained about it.
“If my husband was a dog I could call RSPCA and have him seized and he would get better care there,” she told media after giving evidence.
Southern Cross Care is one of the state’s largest employers, with more than 1100 staff across its 9 residential facilities and services statewide.
Originally published as Aged care provider seeks new CEO after boss steps down