Earle Haven opinion: Ann Wason Moore writes blame game between contractor fails most vulnerable on Gold Coast

If a society is based on how it treats its most vulnerable, we might be in trouble, writes Ann Wason Moore. How could this have happened?

IF a society is based on how it treats its most vulnerable, we might be in trouble.

The scenes at troubled Earle Haven Retirement Village’s aged care wing on Thursday were frighteningly reminiscent of the RSPCA raid on Storybook Farm just a few months ago.

In both instances, frightened, unwell and innocent beings were betrayed by those who were supposed to take care of them.

Fortunately our city’s elderly have survived — so far — the trauma of losing their home without warning on a winter’s afternoon.

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Earle Haven Retirement Village on Thursday night after residents were moved from the facility.

Having helped care for my mother-in-law, who died from Alzheimer’s complications, I just can’t fathom the fear these residents, many with dementia, must have felt. Any change in routine can cause a huge physical and mental setback, let alone abruptly abandoning their beds.

How could this have happened? I’ve read every story possible and I’m still not sure.

It seems to be a blame game between HelpStreet Group, the operators of the nursing home, who say they had no choice after staff allegedly went unpaid due to a contract dispute with the overarching aged-care provider, People Care.

Yet People Care insists its complex is still “very good” and blames the aged care wing’s contractor for the drama.

Why the parties involved in this contractual breakdown could not have negotiated at least a 24-hour notice to residents and their families before abandoning the ship is beyond me.

Meanwhile, the Queensland Government says the Federal Government needs to take ownership of the situation and has called for an inquiry into the crisis.

EMPLOYEES FIRED FROM AGED CARE HOME

Police are seen at the Earle Haven Nursing Home following its closure on the Gold Coast, Friday, July 12, 2019. (AAP Image/Tim Marsden)

There are fingers pointing every which way, all the while the elderly residents were — almost — left out in the cold.

And that’s where the silver lining comes in.

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I’ll admit I have complete disgust for the parties involved here. But what gives me hope is seeing our community reaction.

In fact, a mammoth effort by the Gold Coast health workers, Queensland Ambulance Service, police and other private aged care homes saw all Earle Haven nursing home residents relocated by 1am yesterday.

And then there are the carers themselves. Even when paid, their wages are a relative pittance compared to the literal heavy lifting they do. Yet many insisted on staying, even after being directed to leave. (I don’t understand how anyone could leave, even if told to.)

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Earle Haven in Nerang which suddenly shut its doors. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Queensland Nurses Union secretary Beth Mole said many staff who were not rostered on at the time, heard about what happened and went in to volunteer.

Samantha Rickards, whose grandmother had to be relocated, said although she was angry at the situation, she had nothing but praise for the staff.

“The staff have been amazing, they’ve all been very understanding, very caring. When I walked in they were feeding my grandmother.”

And then there are the comments from our readers — collectively, we are shocked, angry and demand answers.

We love our senior citizens. They are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents. They are a valued part of our Gold Coast family and we simply will not abide this treatment.

FAMILIES TORN APART BY NURSING HOME CLOSING

Lorraine Cook is seen with her husband John at a Gold Coast nursing home after being transferred from the Earle Haven Nursing Home. (AAP Image/Tim Marsden)

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles is right in calling for a Commonwealth investigation into the incident, but no doubt there should be some soul-searching at a state level as well.

Our aged care industry is clearly in disarray. Look to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety if you have any doubt.

But unless something drastic is done, I can’t see any improvement on the horizon.

According to last week’s Aged Care Financing Authority report, profits in the aged care industry are already dropping due to government policies — and any Royal Commission recommendations imposed will only squeeze the industry tighter.

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Taxis leave the Earle Haven Nursing Home following its closure on the Gold Coast (AAP Image/Tim Marsden)

The Commonwealth needs to kick in more funds for care to prevent contractual fallout felling our elderly.

Perhaps it’s time for an aged care levy, like the Medicare levy but specifically to ensure the highest level of care for our seniors.

Relying on private business to act in the best interests of people, rather than the bottom line, just does not work. Besides, if we want the best care, we need the best carers — and we must pay them accordingly. Unlike the citizens of Storybook Farm, we are not animals.

Nobody likes new taxes but we have to stop pointing fingers and instead raise our hands to help.

If we value our vulnerable, it’s surely a small price to pay.