Audit found Gold Coast’s Southport Lodge nursing home residents are at ‘immediate and severe risk’

A Gold Coast nursing home has been declared an “immediate and severe risk’’ to residents after a surprise swoop by government inspectors.

EXCLUSIVE

A GOLD COAST nursing home has been declared an “immediate and severe risk’’ to residents after a surprise swoop by government inspectors.

An investigation by News Corp Australia can reveal that 26 Australian aged care homes have current sanctions or compliance orders imposed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), after unannounced audits.

In Queensland, the ACQSC found an “immediate and severe risk’’ to residents at the Southport Lodge nursing home on the Gold Coast.

Queensland Police attend Southport Lodge nursing home which has been assessed as one of the worst in the country. Pictrue: Scott Powick.

A new audit report, released only this week, reveals ACQSC slapped a sanction on the home last month, banning it from receiving taxpayer subsidies for any new residents for six months.

Southport Lodge, owned by Planlow Pty Ltd, flunked all eight quality standards – including care and staffing.

The audit criticised short-staffing, and found the home “does not have a workforce that is sufficient, skilled and qualified to provide safe and timely quality care and services’’.

“There are no registered staff available overnight to assess consumers who may experience a deterioration during this time,’’ the report says.

“Insufficient staff are being rostered onto shifts to meet the care needs of consumers.’’

Police and an ambulance arrived at Southport Lodge just after 11am yesterday.

Three paramedics entered the nursing home, and police arrived for a short period before leaving.

Southport Lodge, 37 Jimmieson Ave, Labrador QLD 4215. Picture: Google Maps

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A Queensland Police spokesperson said officers were called to handle what seemed to be a minor episode from a resident related to a medical condition.

A Southport Lodge spokeswoman would not say why police and ambulance officers had been called.

She said the home was “working hard to resolve all concerns raised by the Commission and has appointed an experienced nurse adviser to assist us with training and guidance over the next six months’’.

Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union secretary Beth Mohle said it was a “national disgrace’’ that nursing homes are not required by law to hire nurses around the clock.

“Unlike childcare or hospitals, there are no laws that state how private aged care facilities should safely be staffed,’’ she said.

“As a result, private aged care providers can choose to run skeleton staff in order to boost profits.’’

Aged care homes have also been busted breaking COVID-19 rules months after the pandemic killed hundreds of elderly residents.

The Southport Lodge audit found the home “does not demonstrate an understanding of strategies required to minimise a potential COVID-19 outbreak’’.

“The service does not have sufficient handwashing facilities and does not demonstrate that infection control is practised in line with Communicable Diseases Network Australia guidelines,’’ the report reveals.

“The service does not have a current Outbreak Management Plan that provides guidance in relation to a potential outbreak of COVID-19.’’

Southport Lodge, 37 Jimmieson Ave, Labrador QLD 4215. Picture: Google Maps

The fresh audit failure comes after authorities uncovered shocking abuse and neglect at the Japara Noosa nursing home.

Government inspectors have uncovered ongoing COVID-19 breaches in 15 nursing homes – two in Queensland, nine in NSW and four in Victoria – despite the deaths of 685 Australians in aged care last year.

Japara Noosa – which says it has “apologised for the shortcomings’’ – was also slammed by ACQSC for breaching pandemic directives by Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young.

“Processes to manage and prevent a potential COVID-19 outbreak were not effective,’’ the auditors reported after an unannounced inspection in November.

“Visitors were observed to enter the service without screening.

“The service did not meet the directive of the Chief Health Officer that all persons entering or remaining in a residential aged care facility were to have an up to date vaccination against influenza.’’

Queensland Health yesterday said that aged care homes are “high risk environments’’ for COVID-19 outbreaks but would not reveal if Dr Young would take action.

“Failing to comply with even the most basic measure can have tragic consequences,’’ a spokesperson said.

“We have seen the devastation caused by outbreaks in nursing homes in other states and countries.’’

A federal Health Department spokesman said that aged care providers are responsible for training staff in infection prevention and control, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Providers are aware that should they require access to PPE, due to difficulty sourcing privately, the Australian Government’s national medical stockpile can rapidly arrange for distribution,’’ he said.