HelpStreet speak out about Earle Haven, claiming residents’ money is ‘safe and secure’

Residents and their families have packed into Earle Haven to learn their fate at an emergency meeting, as operators claim their money is being looked after.

Residents and family from Earle Haven retirement village pack into the auditorium for a meeting about abrupt closure of the nursing home.

RESIDENTS and their families have packed into Earle Haven to learn their fate at an emergency meeting.

In a statement sent to the Bulletin ahead of the meeting this morning HelpStreet Villages, who managed the nursing home, allege that “the decision to close Earle Haven last week was made in conjunction with authorities including Queensland Health, employee unions and the Aged Care Complaints Commission.”

HelpStreet Villages also allege they have been providing counselling for employees and is actively finding them work at other aged care facilities on the Gold Coast.

POLICE TO DECLARE IF EARLE HAVEN NURSING HOME CRISIS BROKE LAWS

Earle Haven Retirement

Many however told the Bulletin earlier this week the company had not made contact with them since they were told of the closure last Thursday morning.

The company also moved to address concerns over missing funds, medication and medical records that had allegedly been removed from the nursing home that day.

HelpStreet said money direct debited and received by HelpStreet for services for the month of July will be held in an independent trust account.

EARLE HAVEN: NURSE SPEAK OUT OVER NURSING HOME CRISIS

Staff wait inside the Earle Haven as they move over 70 residents from the nursing home. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“It is not our intention to keep money for services that were not delivered and we have made sure that there will be no future direct debits from residents’ accounts,” Helpstreet CEO Kris Bunker said.

“All medical records are safe and secure and are available.

“People Care has CCTV footage that would show exactly who took medication from the Earle Haven facility. HelpStreet calls on People Care to release that footage.”

Mr Bunker, who has not made comment on the matter since Friday, said he was “devastated” and welcomed a full investigation.

HelpStreet Villages was brought in by People Care in April 2018 to operate Earle Haven Retirement Village.

RESIDENTS CLAIM THOUSANDS REMOVED FROM ACCOUNTS

Earle Haven Retirement

People Care is the Federal Government approved aged care provider and owner of the facility.

“After we took over operations at Earle Haven in April last year, HelpStreet Villages did everything possible to improve the quality of life for residents,” Mr Bunker said.

“We improved food, laundry services and replaced urine-soaked mattresses.”

The company also maintained that it was PeopleCare’s responsibility to pay outstanding wages, despite an ongoing Fair Work case against Help Street over missing superannuation.

Me Bunker is set to speak with the media later this afternoon.