Coronavirus Sydney: Families continue Newmarch rally, after fourth resident dies
Families members have rallied for a second day outside coronavirus-riddled Newmarch House nursing home, in Sydney’s west, where a fourth resident earlier died with the virus. Several claims of neglect due to a lack of staff have been made against the centre.
NSW
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A fourth resident at the coronavirus-hit Newmarch House in Sydney’s west has died.
The home’s operators Anglicare announced today the 79-year-old had pre-existing medical issues.
“We are saddened to advise a fourth resident of Newmarch House, who had tested positive for COVID-19, passed away very early this morning. She was 79 years old and had multiple, serious health issues,” the home said in a statement.
“The resident’s family have been contacted. The cause of death is still to be formally determined. And all relevant authorities have been informed.
“Every death of one of our residents is always difficult for our staff, other residents, their family, and our extended Anglicare family.
“We sincerely appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers during this terrible situation.”
Anglicare chief executive Grant Millard said: “I have talked directly to the immediate family of the resident and conveyed our sincerest condolences.”
Family members of residents in the home rallied outside at the front gates for a second straight day on Thursday.
Patricia Steele said her 101-year-old mother-in-law Jean, who had tested positive for the virus, was terrified for her future.
“She went in there feeling well, and now she’s got the virus. As soon as she tests negative were getting her out, we’re not leaving her in there, it’s dangerous,” Mrs Steele said.
“She had a fall a couple of days ago over Easter at 7.15am and staff didn’t find her for another two hours on the floor … She’s desperate to leave.”
Anthony Bowe received a phone call from Anglicare at 4.30pm informing him his mother Pat Shea, 76, was not the woman who had passed away on Thursday.
“I worried for hours that it was my mum but Anglicare just rang to say it’s not her. It’s impossible to get through to anyone in the home,” Mr Bowe said. “The whole place is shambolic, my mother has tested positive for the virus. It’s a worry every day whether she will pull through.”
Sam Cauchi said his 92-year-old mother Josephine rolled off her low bed onto a foam mattress at 4pm but wasn’t found for several hours.
“The place is a nightmare it’s terrible. I don’t even know if my mum has the virus, I don’t believe Anglicare any more.
“They say she hasn’t but I don’t know if I can trust them.”
COVID-19 hotspot
This morning it was announced two more coronavirus cases have been diagnosed at the facility.
The Caddens centre now has 44 cases of the deadly disease after a resident and staff member were diagnosed on Wednesday.
They contributed to the total of five new cases being discovered across NSW among more than 5600 tests in the past 24 hours.
The positive infection rate among those swabbed for the virus has now slumped to just 0.08 per cent.
Two of the other five new infections included a NSW Ambulance paramedic from Liverpool and a nurse from Sydney Adventist Hospital.
Claims of residents neglect
The fresh Newmarch House cases follow several claims of neglect, including that of one woman left bleeding on the ground after a fall and another sent into a “diabetic attack”.
Claims of a collapse in care standards at the Anglicare-run home at Caddens prompted the first flash protest by relatives on Wednesday and an emergency intervention by the federal government.
Mr Millard on Thursday blamed the delay in carers attending to residents to a staff shortage and the needed to dress in full personal protective equipment (PPE) to maintain a stringent hygiene regime.
“Because of the need to dress in full personal protective equipment (PPE), continue our stringent hygiene regime, and maintain social isolation while providing care it takes our staff at least five times longer to deliver the care our residents and their families expect,” Mr Millard said.
“We welcome the ongoing feedback from families and the fact that they have highlighted these issues.
“This has been a terrible situation for us and I want to thank those who are thinking of us and praying for us.” “
“We are grateful the Commonwealth government has been working closely with us to find the best staff across the sector to provide us with the high levels of care all our residents have come to expect.
“The Commonwealth has also provided us reassurance that whatever personal protective equipment (PPE) we need at Newmarch will be supplied.”
On Wednesday Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck sent in “surge” staff to cover dozens of Newmarch staff off sick or in isolation through private firm Aspen Medical.
He said the government nurse “first responder” was on the ground at Newmarch assessing what staffing is necessary there. Registered nurses and personal care workers also arrived. Allied health workers were still being sourced and GPs would be brought in as needed, he said.
Diabetic Jan Doble, 81, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday and told The Daily Telegraph through the barred windows of her bungalow: “I’ve got the virus and it terrifies me”.
“I’ve lost my appetite and have to wear a mask in my room, I just don’t want to give it to anyone … it’s like a prison in here,” she said.
“It’s like World War II, we’ve been through worse, us Aussies are fighters and I will get out of this home for my children and my grandchildren.
“I’m doing alright I’m hanging in there. I’m tired but I want to come out.”
Her son Brett Doble said she waited hours to be fed one day.
“She’s diabetic and not getting breakfast until 10.30am, needs to have it 7.30am,” Mr Doble said.
“I could hear her on phone having an attack, I rang a 1300 customer number at the head office and they finally dealt with it. It should never have happened. She got a rissole and plastic knife for dinner last night.”
Marie Watson said her mother Alice Bacon, 93, has terminal cancer and is worried sick for her future.
“Mum won’t die of a coronavirus, she’ll die due to a lack of care,” Ms Watson said.
“They don’t give a damn about residents in there, they just want our money.”
Louise Payne said her mother Yvonne Vane, 89, was worried sick after testing positive for COVID-19.
“She said she feels tired and terrible all the time, thank god she’s got dementia, I’m not telling her she’s got the virus she’ll be worried even more, “she said.
“I blame Anglicare for not managing this well.”
Matt Steele took to social media after his grandmother also suffered a fall at Newmarch House.
“My 101-year-old Nanna had a fall the other day and was left on the floor for two hours and was only discovered when they brought her breakfast in after her buzzer was repeatedly ignored,” he wrote.